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Trip from Chester, PA to Erie, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 52m

Distance

393.3 mi

633 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 44m ★
6 AM
7h 53m
8 AM
8h 11m
10 AM
7h 59m
12 PM
7h 57m
3 PM
8h 0m
5 PM
8h 10m
8 PM
7h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Pennsylvania, United States

Chester, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 393.3-mile journey from Chester, PA, to Erie, PA, is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 52 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, this route is largely highway-focused, with 61% of the drive on high-speed roads. It's feasible as a single-day trip, though a recommended 1-day itinerary suggests you might want to plan for an early start to comfortably reach your destination. Budget approximately $65 for fuel. This trip takes you entirely within Pennsylvania, traversing from the southeastern part of the state to the northwestern corner.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

196.7 miles from Chester, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 102.7 mi 1h 50m
I 79 65.8 mi 1h 10m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 64.5 mi 1h 9m
US 322 54.4 mi 1h 7m
US 22 24.5 mi 32m
Mount Nittany Expressway 17.5 mi 21m
Port Matilda Highway 10.1 mi 14m
PA 100 7.5 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chester, PA and Erie, PA.

1

Start on East 5th Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · East 5th Street
2

Turn right onto Welsh Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Welsh Street
3

Continue on Avenue of the States

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Avenue of the States
4

Continue on PA 352

2.7 mi · 5 min · Edgmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on PA 352

2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Continue on PA 352

5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road
7

Continue on PA 352

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8

Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352

3.2 mi · 5 min · West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto US 202; US 322

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Chester Bypass
11

Take the exit onto PA 100

7.5 mi · 11 min · PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: Exton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward PATP
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
14

Merge onto I 76; PATP

65 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 247 Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on I 283

2.5 mi · 3 min · I 283
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 283

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 283
Exit 3B-C Toward I 83 North, US 322
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 3B Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
19

Continue on I 83

3.7 mi · 5 min · I 83
20

Continue on US 322

2.4 mi · 3 min · US 322
Exit 51A Toward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
21

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
22

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.
23

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
24

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

18 mi · 21 min · Mount Nittany Expressway
26

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · 28th Division Highway
Exit 62 Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
27

Continue on US 322

10 mi · 14 min · Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on US 322

1.0 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
29

Turn right onto US 322; PA 53

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Centre Street
30

Continue on US 322; PA 53

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Front Street
31

Continue on US 322

7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway
32

Continue on US 322

2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway
33

Turn right onto PA 970

1.6 mi · 2 min · Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
34

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
35

Merge onto I 80

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway
36

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
37

Merge onto I 79

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 79
38

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
39

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
40

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the left lane.
41

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour 52-minute duration, starting your drive from Chester, PA, early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight and avoid late-night driving. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the 393.3 miles to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a major change is over 100 miles, so ensure you're topped up on fuel before embarking on that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $65, so factor that into your budget. While it's a long day, it's manageable in one go, but consider the Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls as part of your overall trip expenses.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.7 miles from Chester, PA, or about 4h 11m 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 87 miles or 1h 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 196.7 miles or 4h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 44m

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 Chester, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Chester, PA

This is one driving day of about 393.3 miles and 7h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Chester, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.

town in Allegany County, New York, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wellsville, NY

197 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

North Bel Air, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wellsville, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 196.7 miles from Chester, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 224.8

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Farm Table Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 224.8

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18142054405

Visit website

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 337.1

Hadley, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17242532208

Visit website

Tasty Zaytoon Lebanese Market and Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 28.1

Exton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14848733198

Visit website

The Factory Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 365.2

Saegertown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+18147633517

Visit website

Lione's Pizza Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.1

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+16108732500

Visit website

Pomod'oro Pizza and Italian Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 28.1

Downingtown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16108730405

Visit website

Pinocchio's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Media, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+16105667767

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 224.8

Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 393.3

Erie, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+18144347376

Visit website

Taylor Memorial Arboretum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Wallingford, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16108762649

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 84.3

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.5 and 100.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
16.5 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown

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 US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Pruss...
8
90.6 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 247 Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
7
93.4 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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
93.7 mi into trip | ~2h 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...
9
100.3 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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

$65.20 one way

$130.41 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $71.41 $142.83
premium $4.93 $76.28 $152.55
diesel $5.61 $86.84 $173.67

Estimated Tolls: $8.39

Pennsylvania Turnpike (64.5 mi) $8.39

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

$65

Tolls

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 137.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 118 1 $41.30 $18.88
Efficient EV 98.3 1 $34.41 $15.73
EV Truck/SUV 157.3 1 $55.06 $25.17

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Chester, PA

Night in Chester on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

67°F

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

W 10 to 15 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Night in Erie on Saturday

Local time

9:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Widespread Fog

SW 2 to 7 mph 38% chance Live forecast

57°F

Wellsville, NY

197 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

23 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

7h 52m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 13.6
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 13.6
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 67.8
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour $1
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

National Monument

More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free near mile 108.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 393.3-mile route, with 61% of your travel time spent on high-speed roads. The Keystone Shortway offers the longest uninterrupted stretch at 102.7 miles, providing a consistent pace. While much of the drive will be on these main arteries like I-79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the character can shift, offering a mix of open highway and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress across the state. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 79. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in.

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 393.3 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 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.4 miles (I 283): 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.

Between Chester, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Hershey, State College and Lewistown.

Patp

25.4 mi in | ~43m

Hershey

90.6 mi in | ~1h 54m

State College

93.7 mi in | ~2h

Lewistown

100.1 mi in | ~2h 9m | via US 322

About the Cities

Starting in Chester, PA

Full guide →

Chester is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Chester is a suburb of the city of Philadelphia. The current population estimate is 30,409. The city is predominantly made up of African Americans, making up 79% of the population. Chester is known for poverty and high crime, as almost 40% of residents live below the poverty line.

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 7h 52m. Total distance: 393.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 52m 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.

Expect about $8.39 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.4 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — First State National Historical Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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