Origin
Akron, PA
Morning in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Akron, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 44m
Distance
340.7 mi
548 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 33m
★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 8m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Akron, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Akron, PA to Erie, PA is 340.7 miles and takes about 6h 44m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward drive that mostly uses major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. The route offers a good balance of efficiency and accessibility, suitable for getting from point A to point B without excessive complexity.
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
170.3 miles from Akron, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 102.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 322 | 54.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| PA 283 | 28.6 mi | 33m |
| US 22 | 24.5 mi | 32m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| Port Matilda Highway | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| US 222 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on South 9th Street
71 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto PA 272
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
4
Continue on PA 272
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Oregon Pike
5
Turn left onto PA 772
475 ft
·
12 sec
·
North State Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
7
Merge onto US 222
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 222
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 222
Toward US 30 West
9
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283
29 mi
·
33 min
·
PA 283
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 283
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 283
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
14
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 83
15
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 322
Exit 51A
Toward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
16
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 322
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 322
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Use the slight right lane.
18
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
19
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Division Highway
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
22
Continue on US 322
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Railroad Street
24
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Centre Street
25
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Front Street
26
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
27
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Woodland Bigler Highway
28
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
30
Merge onto I 80
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
Keystone Shortway
31
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
32
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
34
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 44m drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your stop schedule, but planning one break around the halfway point is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highways, as services might be less frequent on surface roads. The longest stretch without a major change is over 100 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of driving before you set out.
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 170.3 miles from Akron, PA, or about 3h 37m 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 75 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.3 miles or 3h 37m 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 36m
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 Akron, 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 Akron, PA
This is one driving day of about 340.7 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Akron, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.3 miles from Akron, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 47.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
PA 283
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283 toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
7
40.8 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283 toward I 83 North, US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
8
41 mi into trip
|
~52m 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...
6
47.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
47.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.48 one way
$112.97 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $61.86 | $123.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $66.07 | $132.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.22 | $150.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.2 | 1 | $35.77 | $16.35 |
| Efficient EV | 85.2 | 0 | $29.81 | $13.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.3 | 1 | $47.70 | $21.80 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
7:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Wellsville, NY
170 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
1 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
6h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this route is highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch covering 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway. You'll experience a mixed driving profile, transitioning from highway cruising to surface roads. Expect to encounter denser traffic and more frequent exits as you approach urban areas and merge onto different highway systems. The shift from primary highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you progress on your trip.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 9.7 miles in near PA 283.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 340.7 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 9.7 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Akron, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
State College
41 mi in
|
~52m
Lewistown
47.4 mi in
|
~1h 1m
|
via US 322
About the Cities
Starting in Akron, PA
Full guide →Founded 1884
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 44m. Total distance: 340.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Erie, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Erie, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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