Road Trips from Erie, PA
Erie, PA, offers a solid mix of driving options, whether you're looking for a quick escape or a longer haul. You've got several destinations reachable within a few hours on mostly surface roads, perfect for a day trip, with some offering park access. For a more substantial adventure, there are longer drives, some hitting a perfect 10 on the drive score, that take you further into the state and even into Vermont, with the option to make it an overnight.
Total Routes
240
Shortest
4h
With Parks Nearby
206
Full-day getaway
Howard, PA
3h 59m216.4 mi one way
This 4-hour drive to Howard, PA, is one of the longer day trip options. It covers 216.4 miles on mostly surface roads, with gently rolling terrain. It's a good choice if you want to cover more ground without hitting the highway, though it doesn't offer nearby parks.
Zion, PA
3h 57m214.3 mi one way
At 214.3 miles and 4 hours, Zion, PA, is similar in length to Howard, PA. This drive also features gently rolling terrain and sticks to surface roads, scoring an 8. However, it doesn't offer any parks along the way, unlike some other options.
Weekend trip
237 total in this range
Chambersburg, PA
5h 30m283.2 mi one way
If you're looking for a longer drive with a higher score, Chambersburg, PA, is 283.2 miles and takes 5.5 hours. This route mixes highway and surface roads, earning a drive score of 10. It also passes by several significant historical sites, including the Flight 93 National Memorial.
East Berlin, PA
6h 27m338.5 mi one way
This is a long haul at 338.5 miles, taking 6.5 hours. It's primarily a highway drive with a high drive score of 10. You’ll pass by historical monuments like the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Flight 93 National Memorial.
Hilltown, PA
5h 56m299.9 mi one way
Covering 299.9 miles and taking 5.9 hours, Hilltown, PA, is a mixed highway and surface road route with a drive score of 10. It's a good option for accessing historical parks like the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Abbottstown, PA
6h 34m342.1 mi one way
At 342.1 miles and 6.6 hours, Abbottstown, PA, is one of the longest options. It’s mostly highway driving with a top drive score of 10. This route provides access to multiple national memorials, including Fort Necessity National Battlefield.
Bonneauville, PA
6h 20m312.9 mi one way
This 312.9-mile trip to Bonneauville, PA, takes 6.3 hours and mixes highway with surface roads, achieving a drive score of 10. You'll have opportunities to visit historical sites like the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Long-haul ideas
Browse by Mood
Chambersburg, PA
5h 30m283.2 mi one way
East Berlin, PA
6h 27m338.5 mi one way
Hilltown, PA
5h 56m299.9 mi one way
Abbottstown, PA
6h 34m342.1 mi one way
Chambersburg, PA
5h 30m283.2 mi one way
Sharon Hill, PA
7h 56m422 mi one way
Tullytown, PA
7h 56m430.1 mi one way
Warminster, PA
7h 41m416.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
With gently rolling terrain and the potential for park access on shorter drives, spring offers pleasant conditions for exploring the immediate surroundings.
Summer
The longer, higher drive-score routes through PA are best suited for summer, allowing for more comfortable travel to historical sites.
Fall
Gently rolling terrain on various routes provides scenic backdrops, especially for the longer trips into Pennsylvania.
Winter
Shorter trips on mostly surface roads with a drive score of 8 are likely the most manageable during winter months.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Erie, PA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.