Origin
Cherry Ridge, PA
Afternoon in Cherry Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
4:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cherry Ridge, 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 58m
Distance
334.3 mi
538 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 47m
★
6 AM
6h 59m
8 AM
7h 21m
10 AM
7h 7m
12 PM
7h 4m
3 PM
7h 8m
5 PM
7h 20m
8 PM
6h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cherry Ridge, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 334.3-mile journey from Cherry Ridge, PA, to Erie, PA, is primarily a highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 58 minutes. The route predominantly utilizes the Southern Tier Expressway, I-86, and I-81, with 89% of the drive on highways, making it a straightforward trip across Pennsylvania. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route is best suited for those who prefer efficient travel between these two Northeast locations. Consider this a direct path for getting from point A to point B with minimal detours.
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
167.2 miles from Cherry Ridge, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 139.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 81 | 43.7 mi | 51m |
| Owego Turnpike | 7.4 mi | 17m |
| Heart Lake Road | 7 mi | 11m |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 16 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Governor Robert P. Casey Highway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 139.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherry Ridge, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Wanaka Road
147 ft
·
7 sec
·
Wanaka Road
2
Turn right onto PA 3028
7.4 mi
·
17 min
·
Owego Turnpike
3
Turn right onto PA 296
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Belmont Tpk
4
Turn left onto South Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Street
5
Turn left onto Old Carbondale and Honesdale Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Carbondale and Honesdale Road
6
Continue on Carbondale Road
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Carbondale Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
8
Continue on US 6
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward PA 107: Jermyn, Mayfield
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto PA 107
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Rushbrook Street
11
Continue on PA 107
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Heart Lake Road
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
13
Merge onto I 81
44 mi
·
51 min
·
I 81
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
16
Turn left onto State Highway 16
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 16
17
Continue on NY 16
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Union Street
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
20
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
79 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
21
Continue on I 86
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Hopkins-Bowser Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-90: Erie
23
Merge onto I 90
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
AMVETS Memorial Highway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
25
Turn right onto PA 290; PA 430
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Station Road
26
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bayfront Connector
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Bayfront Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto East 10th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 10th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto State Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Street
30
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 58-minute estimated duration for this 334.3-mile trip, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to allow ample time. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $55, planning ahead for refueling is key. The longest stretch of 139.5 miles means you can cover a good distance between breaks. Since this is a highway-centric route, be mindful of traffic patterns on I-81 and I-86, especially during peak hours.
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 167.2 miles from Cherry Ridge, PA, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.5 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 74 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.2 miles or 3h 34m 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 42m
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 Cherry Ridge, 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 Cherry Ridge, PA
This is one driving day of about 334.3 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Cherry Ridge, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 139.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 167.2 miles from Cherry Ridge, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.5 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 16.6 and 327.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
16.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward PA 107: Jermyn, Mayfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 107: Jermyn, Mayfield
5
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward I 86: Corning
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 86: Corning
6
169.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
5
322.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-90: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-90: Erie
6
327.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Co...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.54 one way
$109.08 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.56 | $59.98 | $119.95 |
| premium | $4.86 | $64.00 | $128.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.81 | $147.62 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.52
Owego Turnpike
(7.4 mi)
$0.52
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
$55
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: 117 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.3 | 1 | $35.10 | $16.05 |
| Efficient EV | 83.6 | 0 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.7 | 1 | $46.80 | $21.40 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Afternoon in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
4:53 PM
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
19 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 58m 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 highway-focused experience for the majority of this 334.3-mile drive, as 89% of it is on major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like the Southern Tier Expressway, I-86, and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 139.5 miles, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While largely a highway experience, the journey is designed for efficient travel rather than extensive scenic exploration.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 334.3 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 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.4 miles (I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
- • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
- • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania
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 58m. Total distance: 334.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.52 in tolls one way, starting with Owego 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 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.3 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.4 miles (I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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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