Origin
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Late night in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Erie, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
326.9 mi
526 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 50m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 28m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 326.9 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip connects Wilkes-Barre in the Northeast to the shores of Erie. Expect to spend about 6 hours and 2 minutes behind the wheel, making it a feasible, albeit long, one-day journey. You should budget approximately $54 for fuel to cover the distance. While the trek is manageable in a single stint, its duration suggests you might appreciate at least one planned stop to break up the drive. This route moves you from the state's eastern edge toward the Great Lakes region, offering a practical way to traverse the commonwealth.
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
163.5 miles from Wilkes-Barre, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive with a distinct personality, as it transitions from fast-paced interstates to more technical, turn-heavy local segments. While 25% of your time is spent on major highways like I-81 and I-79, the remainder demands more focus due to the winding nature of the roads. You will spend a significant chunk of your travel—239.4 miles—navigating the Keystone Shortway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The shift between these high-speed sections and the curvier local roads requires you to stay alert, as the driving environment changes considerably from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Erie, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | — | — |
| Hazle Street | — | — |
| Blackman Street | — | — |
| Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard | — | — |
| I-80 West | — | — |
| Keystone Shortway | — | — |
| I 79 North | — | — |
| PA 5 East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilkes-Barre, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Public Square
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Public Square
2
Exit the rotary onto South Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto Hazle Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hazle Street
4
Turn left onto Blackman Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Blackman Street
5
Turn right onto Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
6
Take the ramp slight right
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
7
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
16 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I-80 West: Bloomsburg
9
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
239 mi
·
4 hr 18 min
·
Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 79 North: Erie
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 79 North: Erie
11
Merge slight right
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
13
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
14
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the six-hour duration, departing early in the morning is your best bet to reach Erie before the day is out. Since you have 326.9 miles to cover, plan your one necessary stop strategically to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local portions can be more fatiguing than straight highway driving, so adjust your pace accordingly. Because the Keystone Shortway makes up the bulk of your journey, ensure your vehicle is prepped for a long, steady haul. Staying flexible with your departure time will help you avoid peak traffic periods, ensuring a smoother transition between the regional segments of the state.
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 163.5 miles from Wilkes-Barre, PA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.5 miles or 3h 1m 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 57m
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 Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA
This is one driving day of about 326.9 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Wilkes-Barre, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 163.5 mi from Wilkes-Barre, PA · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 163.5 miles from Wilkes-Barre, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.20 one way
$108.39 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $59.36 | $118.71 |
| premium | $4.93 | $63.40 | $126.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.18 | $144.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.1 | 1 | $34.32 | $15.69 |
| Efficient EV | 81.7 | 0 | $28.60 | $13.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.8 | 1 | $45.77 | $20.92 |
Gas CO2
114 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night in Erie on Thursday
Local time
12:23 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 2m 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA to Erie, PA covers 326.9 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Main Street, Hazle Street, Blackman Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 163.5 miles from Wilkes-Barre, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.20 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Erie, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Wilkes-Barre, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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