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Trip from Erie, PA to Great Bend, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 32m

Distance

279.6 mi

450 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 19m ★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 24m

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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Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Great Bend, PA, PA

Great Bend, PA

Nico Becker

Trip Overview

This 279.6-mile journey from Erie to Great Bend, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 32 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 93% of the trip on major expressways, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points in the Northeast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $46, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway or transit. You'll spend most of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, suggesting a straightforward and relatively uninterrupted drive. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

139.8 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 249.5 mi 4h 50m
I 81 10.8 mi 12m
Hopkins-Bowser Highway 7 mi 8m
Bayfront Connector 4.4 mi 7m
AMVETS Memorial Highway 4.1 mi 4m
East 8th Street 1.1 mi 2m
Station Road 1 mi 1m
US 11 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 249.5 mi, about 4h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on State Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · State Street
2

Turn left onto East 8th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 8th Street
3

Turn right onto East Bayfront Parkway

0.3 mi · 44 sec · East Bayfront Parkway
4

Continue on PA 290

4.4 mi · 7 min · Bayfront Connector
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on PA 290; PA 430

1.0 mi · 1 min · Station Road
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
7

Merge onto I 90

4.1 mi · 4 min · AMVETS Memorial Highway
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Exit 37 Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
9

Continue on I 86

7.0 mi · 8 min · Hopkins-Bowser Highway
10

Continue on I 86; NY 17

249 mi · 4 hr 50 min · Southern Tier Expressway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

11 mi · 12 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
13

Turn right onto PA 171

191 ft · 7 sec · State Route 171
14

Turn right onto US 11

0.4 mi · 48 sec · US 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto Williams Street

76 ft · 3 sec · Williams Street
16

Arrive at destination

Williams Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 32-minute estimated duration, departing in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Great Bend comfortably within daylight hours. While the drive is designed for efficiency, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch is 249.5 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so ensure your tank is full before you begin. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transitions between the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, as these are key points where you'll maintain your forward momentum.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 249.5 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 62 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.8 miles or 2h 48m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Bend, 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 279.6 miles and 5h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 249.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Steuben County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hornell, NY

140 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

Jamestown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hornell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.8 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 Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 249.5 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owego, New York

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239.7

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Beef-N-Barrel

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 99.9

Olean, New York

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17163722985

Visit website

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239.7

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 199.7

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 259.6

Johnson City, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 259.6

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 199.7

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 199.7

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18555023851

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.8

Friendship, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 79.9

Salamanca, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 239.7

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Erie, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+18144347376

Visit website

Farmland Animal Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 219.7

Chemung, New York

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16075293371

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 279.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 8th Street

Turn left onto East 8th Street

Navigation decision point

5
11.3 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 86 East: Jamestown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 37 Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
5
268.3 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in | I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 81 South: Scranton
5
279 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in

Take the exit toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna

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

Toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
5
279.2 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in | US 11

Turn right onto US 11

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.35 one way

$92.71 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $50.77 $101.54
premium $4.93 $54.22 $108.45
diesel $5.61 $61.73 $123.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.9 1 $29.36 $13.42
Efficient EV 69.9 0 $24.47 $11.18
EV Truck/SUV 111.8 1 $39.14 $17.89

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Afternoon in Erie on Saturday

Local time

3:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Great Bend, PA

Afternoon in Great Bend on Saturday

Local time

3:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

40°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

20 degrees cooler at arrival

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

Road read

5h 32m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 279.6-mile route, with 93% of your travel on expressways. The bulk of your time, a continuous stretch of 249.5 miles, will be spent on the Southern Tier Expressway, indicating long, consistent periods of highway travel. You'll also navigate sections of I-81 and the Hopkins-Bowser Highway, maintaining a consistent pace. This profile suggests a driving experience characterized by efficiency and speed, rather than winding scenic byways. The road's personality is one of directness, designed for covering distance.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 249.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East 8th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 32m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Full guide →

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 279.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 249.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Great Bend, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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