Cherryville, PA to Erie, PA is 345.8 miles and takes about 6h 32m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive travels north through Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. With the majority of the route on surface roads, expect a more scenic and potentially slower pace than a pure interstate trip. Given the 6.5-hour estimated drive time, it's a manageable one-day excursion, but be prepared for a significant portion of your day to be spent behind the wheel.
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
172.9 miles from Cherryville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
236.1 mi
4h 14m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Lehigh Drive
11 mi
15m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
East Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
State Route 93
3.7 mi
7m
Hunter Street
2.8 mi
3m
East Catawissa Street
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.1 mi, about 4h 14m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,466
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherryville, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 248
11 mi·15 min·Lehigh Drive
2
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi·7 sec·Bankway Street
4
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi·55 sec·Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 SouthUse the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
6
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
7
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·39 sec·Susquehanna Street
8
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft·1 sec·Lehigh Avenue
9
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·32 sec·Lehigh Street
10
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·22 sec·Lehigh Avenue
11
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
12
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft·7 sec·Hudson Drive
13
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
14
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
15
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
16
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
17
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi·4 min·East Broad Street
18
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi·39 sec·North Broad Street
19
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi·3 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
20
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi·31 sec·Valmont Parkway
21
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
22
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Berwick Hazleton Highway
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
24
Merge onto I 80
236 mi·4 hr 14 min·Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
26
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
28
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 345.8-mile drive, leaving Cherryville, PA in the morning is your best bet to make good time and avoid driving in the dark. The total drive is estimated at 6 hours and 32 minutes, so a single day is definitely feasible. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to refuel and stretch, especially since the longest highway stretch is over 236 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from the Keystone Shortway to other roads; while the estimated fuel cost is $56, it's always wise to fill up when you see a good price. The profile of the route suggests mostly surface roads, so factor in potential for slower travel and more frequent intersections compared to a pure interstate route.
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 172.9 miles from Cherryville, PA, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.1 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 76 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.9 miles or 3h 22m 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 24m
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 Cherryville, 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 Cherryville, PA
This is one driving day of about 345.8 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Cherryville, 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 236.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 11 and 345.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11 mi into trip|~15m in|US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
15.3 mi into trip|~22m in|US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
342.8 mi into trip|~6h 25m 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
343.1 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
345.4 mi into trip|~6h 31m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.14 one way
$110.27 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$61.02
$122.04
premium
$4.81
$65.46
$130.91
diesel
$4.80
$65.29
$130.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.7
1
$36.31
$16.60
Efficient EV
86.5
0
$30.26
$13.83
EV Truck/SUV
138.3
1
$48.41
$22.13
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cherryville, PA
Late night
in Cherryville on Monday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Monday
Local time
5:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Smoke
W 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Clearfield, PA
173 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
4 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 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 20% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 236.1 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After that, you'll transition to roads like I-79 and Lehigh Drive. Expect frequent changes in speed limits and road types as you move from more rural cruising to areas with denser local traffic, particularly as you approach your destination.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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. The trickiest moment comes around 11 miles in near US 209 / Bridge Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 32m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 342.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,728 ft616 ft
Total Climb
2,229 ft
Total Descent
2,306 ft
Highest Point
1,728 ft
~148.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,112 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Ember + Forge
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Erie, PA
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-19:00; Su 08...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 32m. Total distance: 345.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 342.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
