Embark on a journey from Rye, Pennsylvania, to Erie, Pennsylvania, covering 328.3 miles and taking approximately 6 hours and 34 minutes. This drive is entirely within the Northeast region of the US, offering a straightforward path through the state. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, it's an economical trip. The route is classified as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of road types. While it's feasible as a single-day trip, you might consider if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on South Cameron Street.
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
164.1 miles from Rye, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 328.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This road trip offers a mixed driving experience, with 41% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing ample opportunity for steady progress. The drive generally progresses with a mix of faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments, characteristic of a 'mixed drive' profile. Expect the road conditions to vary, shifting from open highway speeds to potentially slower, more winding sections as you navigate between major arteries.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 328.3 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 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (PA 230 / South Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
31.1 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward Capitol, 2nd Street
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 43
Toward Capitol, 2nd Street
6
31.7 mi into trip|~44m in|Paxton Street
Turn right onto Paxton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
32 mi into trip|~45m in|PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Turn left onto PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
87.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 22; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, St...
6
131.7 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rye, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Capitol and State College.
Capitol
31.1 mi in|~43m
State College
87.1 mi in|~1h 55m|via US 22; US 322
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
South Cameron Street
55 mi
1h 9m
I 83
26.7 mi
33m
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rye, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 214
0.5 mi·1 min·Hess Farm Road
2
Continue on Honey Valley Road
440 ft·12 sec·Honey Valley Road
3
Turn slight left onto Ferree Hill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Ferree Hill Road
4
Turn straight onto Ironstone Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Ironstone Hill Road
5
Continue on PA 74
1.8 mi·3 min·South Queen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 83
27 mi·33 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 43Toward Capitol, 2nd StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Paxton Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Paxton Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto PA 230
55 mi·1 hr 9 min·South Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi·32 min·US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
12
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
15
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
17
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
18
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
19
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
20
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
21
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
23
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
25
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
27
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 328.3-mile drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. With a duration of 6 hours and 34 minutes, you'll likely want to plan for one stop to stretch your legs or refuel. The estimated fuel cost of $54 is a good budget point. Keep an eye on the 102.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway; ensure you have adequate fuel before entering it, as services can be spaced out. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when you feel most rested.
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 164.1 miles from Rye, PA, or about 3h 34m 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 72 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 3h 34m 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 27m
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 Rye, 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 Rye, PA
This is one driving day of about 328.3 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Rye, 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 164.1 mi from Rye, PA
· 3h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 45.3
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
Efficient EV
82.1
0
$28.73
$13.13
EV Truck/SUV
131.3
1
$45.96
$21.01
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Rye, PA
Late night
in Rye on Saturday
Local time
3:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
3:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Fog
SE 2 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
164 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 34m 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 Rye, PA to Erie, PA covers 328.3 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 79, South Cameron Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 164.1 miles from Rye, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.43 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 328.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.7 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles (PA 230 / South Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Rye, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Capitol and State College.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
