Embark on a 387.2-mile journey from Wayne, PA, to Erie, PA, that will take approximately 7 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. This trip is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll primarily travel on the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, covering 64% of the route on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $64 for this drive. The experience is largely highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within Pennsylvania.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.6 miles from Wayne, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 34m. Total distance: 387.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route offers a highway-focused drive, with 64% of your travel on major roadways. You'll encounter the Keystone Shortway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 102.7 miles, providing a consistent pace. The Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-79 will also contribute to the predominantly high-speed nature of this trip. While the majority is highway, the profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Be prepared for long stretches where the focus is on covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 387.2 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 202 North: King of Prussia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 202 North: King of Prussia
7
4.6 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Mall Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mall Boulevard
8
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
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 247
Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
8
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
9
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wayne, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Hershey
84.5 mi in|~1h 36m
State College
87.6 mi in|~1h 42m
Lewistown
93.9 mi in|~1h 51m|via US 322
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
78.8 mi
1h 24m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
US 322
54.4 mi
1h 7m
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 Wayne, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on US 30
0.9 mi·2 min·East Lancaster Avenue
2
Turn right onto Old Eagle School Road
2.1 mi·4 min·Old Eagle School Road
3
Turn right onto Devon Park Drive
0.3 mi·50 sec·Devon Park Drive
4
Take the ramp
180 ft·4 sec
Toward US 202 North, US 422 West: King of Prussia, Pottstown
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 202 North: King of PrussiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 202
0.5 mi·37 sec·US 202
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward Mall BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 76
0.4 mi·52 sec·Schuylkill Expressway
Toward I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
0.4 mi·1 min·I 76
Toward I 76 West: HarrisburgUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 76; PATP
79 mi·1 hr 24 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 247Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, HersheyUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi·3 min·I 283
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
17
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
18
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
19
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 322
Exit 67A; 67BToward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 322
Exit 67BToward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State CollegeUse the slight right lane.
21
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
22
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
25
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
27
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
28
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
29
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
30
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
31
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
33
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
34
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
35
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
37
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
39
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 34-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Wayne, PA, to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 387.2 miles effectively. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is over 100 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so plan your rest or fuel stops accordingly. Given the $64 estimated fuel cost, it's wise to have a full tank before starting and to be mindful of fuel availability on the less populated sections of the Keystone Shortway.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.6 miles from Wayne, PA, or about 3h 57m 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 85 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.6 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 26m
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 Wayne, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wayne, PA
This is one driving day of about 387.2 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Wayne, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 193.6 mi from Wayne, PA
· 3h 57m into the drive
The midpoint is around 193.6 miles from Wayne, 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 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 66.8
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 106.8
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.29 one way
$124.57 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$70.11
$140.22
premium
$4.95
$75.52
$151.04
diesel
$5.98
$91.16
$182.32
Estimated Tolls: $10.24
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(78.8 mi)$10.24
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.2
1
$40.66
$18.59
Efficient EV
96.8
1
$33.88
$15.49
EV Truck/SUV
154.9
1
$54.21
$24.78
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 15, 2026
Origin
Wayne, PA
Evening
in Wayne on Friday
Local time
5:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Evening
in Erie on Friday
Local time
5:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
194 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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 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 Wayne, PA to Erie, PA covers 387.2 miles and takes about 7h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 79. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 193.6 miles from Wayne, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.29 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 28 significant decision points across 387.2 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wayne, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Independence National Historical Park. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
