Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
216.4 mi
348 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
This 216.4-mile drive from Erie to Howard, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily on the Keystone Shortway, with segments of Raymond P. Shafer Highway and Eagle Valley Road mixed in. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $36. Given its manageable duration, it's a perfect candidate for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route offers a local feel, making it a straightforward journey within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
108.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than an interstate cruise, as this route has a 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 137.9 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a journey that will involve frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds as you transition between different local roads like Raymond P. Shafer Highway and Eagle Valley Road. The road's personality is more about engaging with the local terrain and communities than covering long distances at high speed.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, Blanchard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 137.9 mi | 2h 27m |
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| Eagle Valley Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| West 12th Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Walnut Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Bayfront Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Greengarden Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Howard, PA.
Start on State Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
Continue on I 79
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 150
Turn right onto PA 26
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of under four hours, this 216.4-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can leave anytime that suits your schedule, but consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours. While the drive is relatively short, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch is 137.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you embark on that segment. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 216.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.2 mi from Erie, PA · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.2 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.9 miles.
The final approach into Howard, 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 Howard, 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.
Regular Gas
$35.88 one way
$71.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $39.29 | $78.59 |
| premium | $4.93 | $41.97 | $83.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.78 | $95.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.94 | $8.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.6 | 1 | $30.30 | $13.85 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
8:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Howard on Wednesday
Local time
8:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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