Origin
Auburn, PA
Late night in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, 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 9m
Distance
328.7 mi
529 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 56m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 19m
5 PM
6h 33m
8 PM
6h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, PA
Dominik Gryzbon
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 328.7-mile journey from Auburn to Erie, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a portion on Locust Gap Highway, covering about 23% on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, this route is an accessible option for a day trip, though you might consider splitting it if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The drive offers a consistent travel experience across two days, as both the origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Plan for a straightforward drive that keeps you moving toward your destination.
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
164.4 miles from Auburn, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 204 mi | 3h 39m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Centre Turnpike | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Continental Boulevard | 3 mi | 3m |
| Route 61 South | 3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 895
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Market Street
2
Turn left onto PA 61
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
4
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
5
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
6
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
8
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
9
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
11
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
12
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
13
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
14
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
15
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
16
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
20
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
22
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
24
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 9-minute drive, consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 204 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. The estimated fuel cost of $54 is manageable, but it's always wise to fill up before embarking on longer stretches, especially on less developed highway segments. A key piece of advice for this route is to be mindful of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; anticipate more frequent turns and potential changes in road surfaces compared to a pure interstate experience.
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 164.4 miles from Auburn, PA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204 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 72 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.4 miles or 3h 8m 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 1m
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 Auburn, 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 Auburn, PA
This is one driving day of about 328.7 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Auburn, 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 204 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
164 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 164.4 miles from Auburn, 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 204 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 328.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
51.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
325.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
5
326 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m in
|
PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
328.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.49 one way
$108.99 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $59.68 | $119.37 |
| premium | $4.93 | $63.75 | $127.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.57 | $145.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.51
Centre Turnpike
(7.3 mi)
$0.51
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
$54
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.6 | 1 | $34.51 | $15.78 |
| Efficient EV | 82.2 | 0 | $28.76 | $13.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.5 | 1 | $46.02 | $21.04 |
Gas CO2
115 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 Tuesday
Local time
4:52 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
17 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
6h 9m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 328.7-mile trip, with only 23% of the route utilizing highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 204 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel. As you transition between the Keystone Shortway, I-79, and Locust Gap Highway, you'll experience a variety of road types. This means paying attention to changing speed limits and road conditions, making it a drive that requires your engagement rather than a passive interstate cruise. The character of the road will shift as you progress, so be ready to adapt.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 328.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.1 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 325.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
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 9m. Total distance: 328.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.51 in tolls one way, starting with Centre Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 13.1 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 325.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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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