Origin
Tunkhannock, PA
Evening in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
8:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tunkhannock, PA to Erie, PA
Drive Time
5h 57m
Distance
283.9 mi
457 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 44m
★
6 AM
5h 57m
8 AM
6h 23m
10 AM
6h 6m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tunkhannock, PA
Jack Pace
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tunkhannock to Erie covers 283.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable within a single day, you can comfortably complete the trip without an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the distance across Pennsylvania. The path relies heavily on major arteries like the Southern Tier Expressway and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, keeping your transit efficient. Whether you are heading west for business or leisure, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward connection between these two Northeast locations.
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
141.9 miles from Tunkhannock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by speed and efficiency, as 72% of your journey takes place on highways. The centerpiece of your drive is a long, 199.4-mile stretch along the Southern Tier Expressway, which allows you to maintain consistent momentum. You will also navigate the Towanda Bypass and sections of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway to round out the transit. While the drive is primarily an interstate experience, the transition between these major roads keeps the pace steady. It is a no-nonsense, highway-focused drive that prioritizes reaching your destination in Erie as quickly as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 199.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Grand Army of the Republic Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway.
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 283.9 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 0.1 miles (US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 6 / Roosevelt Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles (US 6 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Turn right onto US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 6 / Roosevelt Highway
Merge onto US 6 / Roosevelt Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
39.5 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 6 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 6 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
6
276.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m in
Take the exit toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Co...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 199.4 mi | 3h 51m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 22.7 mi | 32m |
| Towanda Bypass | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 16 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Bayfront Connector | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| AMVETS Memorial Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 199.4 mi, about 3h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tunkhannock, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 29
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn right onto US 6
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Merge onto US 6
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on US 6
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
River Street
6
Continue on US 6
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
7
Continue on US 6
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 6
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
9
Continue on US 6
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
10
Continue on US 6
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden Mile Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 6
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
12
Turn right onto US 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
York Avenue
14
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Reuter Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 6
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
16
Turn right
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 220 North: Sayre
17
Merge onto US 220
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Towanda Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Yanuzzi Drive
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Yanuzzi Drive
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
20
Merge onto I 86
60 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
22
Turn left onto State Highway 16
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 16
23
Continue on NY 16
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Union Street
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
26
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
79 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
27
Continue on I 86
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Hopkins-Bowser Highway
28
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-90: Erie
29
Merge onto I 90
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
AMVETS Memorial Highway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
31
Turn right onto PA 290; PA 430
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Station Road
32
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bayfront Connector
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Bayfront Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto East 10th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 10th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto State Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Street
36
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a nearly six-hour journey, planning at least one solid stop is essential to stay fresh behind the wheel. Aim to leave Tunkhannock early in the morning to avoid fatigue and ensure you arrive in Erie with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that primary 199.4-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, to ensure you don't run low between major interchanges. Because the route is highway-heavy, flexibility is your greatest advantage; if you find yourself needing a break, the highway infrastructure makes it easy to pull off for a quick rest. Use your single planned stop strategically to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle for the final leg of the trip.
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 141.9 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.4 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 80 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.9 miles or 3h 2m 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 51m
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 Tunkhannock, 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 Tunkhannock, PA
This is one driving day of about 283.9 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tunkhannock, 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 199.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141.9 mi from Tunkhannock, PA · 3h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.9 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 199.4 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
$46.98 one way
$93.96 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $51.40 | $102.81 |
| premium | $4.92 | $55.01 | $110.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.07 | $126.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.2 | 1 | $29.81 | $13.63 |
| Efficient EV | 71 | 0 | $24.84 | $11.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.6 | 1 | $39.75 | $18.17 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Evening in Erie on Sunday
Local time
8:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
11 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 57m 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 Tunkhannock, PA to Erie, PA covers 283.9 miles and takes about 5h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Towanda Bypass. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.9 miles from Tunkhannock, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.98 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 283.9 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 0.1 miles (US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (US 6 / Roosevelt Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.5 miles (US 6 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tunkhannock, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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