Farm Table Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18142054405
Visit websiteCompiled 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chester, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Chester, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on East 5th Street
Turn right onto Welsh Street
Continue on Avenue of the States
Continue on PA 352
Continue on PA 352
Continue on PA 352
Continue on PA 352
Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352
Take the exit
Merge onto US 202; US 322
Take the exit onto PA 100
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Continue on I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 83
Continue on US 322
Take the exit onto US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
Continue on US 322; PA 53
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto PA 970
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Merge onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18142054405
Around the midpoint, short detour
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+18142054405
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hadley, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17242532208
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Exton, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+14848733198
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Saegertown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm
+18147633517
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm
+16108732500
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+16108730405
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Media, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–11 pm
+16105667767
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Erie, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+18144347376
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+16108762649
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17175668131
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Regular Gas
$65.20 one way
$130.41 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Chester on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Erie on Saturday
Local time
9:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Widespread Fog
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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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.
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.
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.
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
Hershey
State College
Lewistown
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.
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).
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.
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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