Trip from Erie, PA to Fairfield, PA

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

6h 11m

Distance

305.8 mi

492 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 59m ★

6 AM

6h 11m

8 AM

6h 37m

10 AM

6h 20m

12 PM

6h 18m

3 PM

6h 22m

5 PM

6h 36m

8 PM

6h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Fairfield, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

The drive from Erie, PA to Fairfield, PA covers 305.8 miles and takes about 6h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, Raymond P Shafer Highway, Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 133.2 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.70 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

152.9 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive from Erie, PA to Fairfield, PA covers 305.8 miles and takes about 6h 11m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 133.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 305.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

106.7 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike

107.3 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

108.1 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

242.1 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in | I 70

Take the exit onto I 70 toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington...

244 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Erie, PA and Fairfield, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Baltimore - among others.

Cranberry

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Pennsylvania Turnpike

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Youngstown Ohio

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Harrisburg

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Patp: Youngstown Ohio

108.1 mi in | ~2h 1m

Baltimore

242.1 mi in | ~4h 28m | via I 70

Washington

242.1 mi in | ~4h 28m | via I 70

Gettysburg

244 mi in | ~4h 31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	133.2 mi	2h 25m
Raymond P Shafer Highway	104 mi	1h 51m
Lincoln Highway	20.7 mi	29m
Buchanan Trail East	12.3 mi	20m
Lemar Road	7.6 mi	12m
Lincoln Way West	4.2 mi	5m
Buchanan Trail West	4.1 mi	5m
West Main Street	3.6 mi	8m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 133.2 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Fairfield, PA.

Start on State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.0 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway

Continue on I 79

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 76; PATP

133 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit onto I 70

1.9 mi · 3 min · I 70

Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 47 sec

Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 30

21 mi · 29 min · Lincoln Highway

Continue on US 30

4.2 mi · 5 min · Lincoln Way West

Turn right onto PA 75

2.1 mi · 3 min · Fort Loudon Road

Turn left onto Lemar Road

7.6 mi · 12 min · Lemar Road

At end of road, turn left onto PA 16

4.1 mi · 5 min · Buchanan Trail West

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 16

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Baltimore Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on PA 16

6.7 mi · 11 min · Buchanan Trail East

Use the straight lane.

Continue on PA 16

3.2 mi · 7 min · West Main Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 16

5.6 mi · 9 min · Buchanan Trail East

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 16

2.5 mi · 3 min · Waynesboro Pike

Turn left onto Jacks Mountain Road

2.8 mi · 5 min · Jacks Mountain Road

Turn slight left onto PA 116

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fairfield Road

Continue on PA 116

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Main Street

Arrive at destination

PA 116

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 152.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 152.9 miles or 2h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Erie, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Erie, PA

This is one driving day of about 305.8 miles and 6h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, PA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 133.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 152.9 mi from Erie, PA · 2h 51m into the drive

city in Chautauqua County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jamestown, NY

153 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Mina, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakewood, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 152.9 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.2 miles.

Arriving in Fairfield, PA

The final approach into Fairfield, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fairfield, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.70 one way

$101.40 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 107 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$55.53	$111.05
premium	$4.93	$59.31	$118.61
diesel	$5.61	$67.52	$135.03

Estimated Tolls: $17.32

Pennsylvania Turnpike (133.2 mi) $17.32

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Tolls

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 107 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	91.7	1	$32.11	$14.68
Efficient EV	76.5	0	$26.76	$12.23
EV Truck/SUV	122.3	1	$42.81	$19.57

Gas CO2

107 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Wednesday

Local time

1:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 7 to 12 mph 76% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:38PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Fairfield, PA

Late night in Fairfield on Wednesday

Local time

1:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 11m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Erie, PA to Fairfield, PA covers 305.8 miles and takes about 6h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Raymond P Shafer Highway, Lincoln Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 152.9 miles from Erie, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Erie, PA and Fairfield, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Baltimore - among others.

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