Trip from Erie, PA to York, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 23m

Distance

321 mi

517 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 11m ★

6 AM

6h 23m

8 AM

6h 48m

10 AM

6h 32m

12 PM

6h 29m

3 PM

6h 33m

5 PM

6h 47m

8 PM

6h 16m

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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York, PA

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Trip Overview

Spanning 321 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Erie to York takes approximately 6 hours and 23 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day on the road. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, though the winding nature of the route makes it feel substantial. Expect to budget around $53 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both your start and end points are located in the Northeast, you will experience the distinct character of Pennsylvania’s regional landscape throughout the drive.

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

160.5 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Forget about monotonous interstate cruising, as this route is defined by a turn-heavy, local-road personality. You will navigate via West 12th Street, Greengarden Boulevard, and the West Bayfront Parkway, moving away from high-speed highway travel entirely. With a highway share of 0%, your focus will remain on local navigation rather than open-road acceleration. The technical nature of these roads means you will be actively engaged behind the wheel for the duration of the 6-hour-plus trek. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid transit.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 103.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 321 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 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 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | Greengarden Boulevard

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

208.9 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 73 Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...

299.1 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in | I 83

Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore

319 mi into trip | ~6h 17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 83 Business, PA 181

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 83 Business, PA 181

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 York, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College and Baltimore.

Shawville

173.3 mi in | ~3h 10m

State College

208.9 mi in | ~3h 55m | via US 322

Baltimore

299.1 mi in | ~5h 54m | via I 83

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	103.3 mi	1h 50m
General Potter Highway	79.4 mi	1h 42m
Raymond P Shafer Highway	66.8 mi	1h 11m
I 83	21.1 mi	25m
28th Division Highway	8.6 mi	9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway	7.1 mi	8m
Mount Nittany Expressway	6.2 mi	8m
Port Matilda Highway	5.9 mi	8m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and York, 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

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Toward I 80 East: Clarion

Merge onto I 80

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville

Merge onto PA 970

1.4 mi · 1 min · Shawville Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 322

2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway

Continue on US 322

7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway

Continue on US 322

0.3 mi · 23 sec · North Front Street

Continue on US 322; PA 53

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North Centre Street

Turn left onto US 322

1.1 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street

Continue on US 322

5.9 mi · 8 min · Port Matilda Highway

Turn slight right onto US 322

2.2 mi · 3 min · Upper Flat Rock Road

Continue on US 322

1.8 mi · 2 min · Flat Rock Road

Continue on US 322

8.6 mi · 9 min · 28th Division Highway

Toward US 322 East: State College

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220; US 322

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

6.2 mi · 8 min · Mount Nittany Expressway

Exit 73 Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

79 mi · 1 hr 42 min · General Potter Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Paxton Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Paxton Street

Turn right onto South 13th Street

269 ft · 3 sec · South 13th Street

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 83 South: York

Merge onto I 83

1.5 mi · 2 min · I 83

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 83

20 mi · 23 min · I 83

Toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 83 Business, PA 181

Keep slight left at fork

172 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 83 Business, PA 181

Turn right onto I 83 BUS; PA 181

2.0 mi · 5 min · North George Street

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

I 83 BUS

Trip Plan

Given the technical, turn-heavy nature of this 321-mile trip, starting your journey early in the morning is essential to avoid fatigue. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous maneuvering requires more focus than standard highway driving. Since fuel costs are estimated at $53, keep an eye on your gauge while navigating local corridors where service stations may be less frequent than on major interstates. Because this route lacks high-speed stretches, treat your pace as a steady, methodical crawl rather than a race. A helpful tip is to map out your turns on West 12th Street and Greengarden Boulevard in advance to ensure you stay on track through the more complex local intersections.

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 160.5 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 71 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 160.5 miles or 2h 56m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, 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 321 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 Keystone Shortway for about 103.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 160.5 mi from Erie, PA · 2h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clearfield, PA

161 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

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bethlehem, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.5 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 Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.3 miles.

Arriving in York, PA

The final approach into York, 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 York, 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

$53.22 one way

$106.44 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 112 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$58.29	$116.57
premium	$4.93	$62.25	$124.51
diesel	$5.61	$70.87	$141.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	96.3	1	$33.71	$15.41
Efficient EV	80.3	0	$28.09	$12.84
EV Truck/SUV	128.4	1	$44.94	$20.54

Gas CO2

112 kg

EV CO2

38 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

Night in Erie on Wednesday

Local time

10:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

York, PA

Night in York on Wednesday

Local time

10:42 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Clearfield, PA

161 mi in

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

12 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

6h 23m 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 York, PA covers 321 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Keystone Shortway, General Potter Highway, Raymond P Shafer Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 160.5 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 $53.22 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 York, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College and Baltimore.

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Trip from Erie, PA to York, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in York, PA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Erie, PA

York, PA

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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