Origin
Lewistown, PA
Night in Lewistown on Wednesday
Local time
11:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lewistown, PA to Erie, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 38m
Distance
239.3 mi
385 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 25m
★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lewistown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 239.3-mile drive from Lewistown to Erie, Pennsylvania, is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on US 522, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, this journey can be completed efficiently. Traveling within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you'll experience a straightforward path connecting these two points. Consider starting early to maximize your daylight hours and make the most of this relatively quick journey.
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
119.6 miles from Lewistown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
You'll find this drive to be a mixed bag, with 44% of it on highways. Expect a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 102.7 miles along the Keystone Shortway, which likely offers a more open-road feel. The inclusion of I-79 suggests some faster-paced interstate driving, while US 522 might introduce more local road characteristics. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind for the entire 4 hours and 38 minutes, offering some variation as you progress towards Erie.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 102.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Valley Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 239.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Valley Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.7 miles (US 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.7 miles (US 322 / 28th Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Valley Street
Turn sharp right onto Valley Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 522
Take the exit onto US 522
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
42.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
US 322 / 28th Division Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / 28th Division Highway toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
6
236.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
6
238.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 102.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 522 | 21.8 mi | 28m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| Philipsburg Bigler Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Woodland Bigler Highway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Boal Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Chestnut Street
119 ft
·
11 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn sharp right onto Valley Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Valley Street
3
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Walnut Street
4
Take the exit onto US 522
22 mi
·
28 min
·
US 522
5
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Division Highway
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
8
Continue on US 322
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Railroad Street
10
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Centre Street
11
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Front Street
12
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
13
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodland Bigler Highway
14
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
16
Merge onto I 80
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
Keystone Shortway
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
18
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
20
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 239.3-mile journey, a single day is definitely manageable, but starting between 8-9 AM will give you ample time. Since it's a 4 hour and 38 minute drive, you might consider one planned stop for fuel and a quick break about halfway through. The longest stretch is over 100 miles, so plan your next break accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading onto longer, potentially less serviced sections of the Keystone Shortway. With a fuel cost estimate of $40, it's wise to fill up before you leave Lewistown.
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 119.6 miles from Lewistown, PA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 53 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 25m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, PA
This is one driving day of about 239.3 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Lewistown, 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 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.6 mi from Lewistown, PA · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.6 miles from Lewistown, 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 102.7 miles.
Arriving in Erie, PA
The final approach into Erie, 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 Erie, 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
$39.67 one way
$79.35 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $43.45 | $86.90 |
| premium | $4.93 | $46.41 | $92.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.83 | $105.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.13 | $11.49 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.94 | $9.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.50 | $15.32 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Erie, PA
Night in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
11:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
6 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
4h 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lewistown, PA to Erie, PA covers 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 79, US 522. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.6 miles from Lewistown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 239.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Valley Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.7 miles (US 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 42.7 miles (US 322 / 28th Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Lewistown, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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