Broome Gateway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clarks Summit, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 26m
Distance
319.5 mi
514 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 14m
★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 33m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 50m
8 PM
6h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarks Summit, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clarks Summit to Erie is 319.5 miles and takes about 6h 26m via I-81 and I-86, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
159.8 miles from Clarks Summit, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 139.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 81 | 51.9 mi | 1h |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 16 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Bayfront Connector | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| AMVETS Memorial Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| East 10th Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 139.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Traffic on I-86
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~527 veh/hr typical · worst 690
Quietest
2 AM
~31 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Clarks Summit, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Electric Street
62 ft
·
3 sec
·
Electric Street
2
Continue on Electric Street
264 ft
·
14 sec
·
Electric Street
3
Turn left onto Powell Avenue
150 ft
·
8 sec
·
Powell Avenue
4
Turn right onto Jones Street
434 ft
·
24 sec
·
Jones Street
5
Turn left onto West Grove Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grove Street
6
Turn right onto US 6; US 11
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 6; US 11
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northern Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Toward I 81, US 6 East, PATP South, I 476 South: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
US 6
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward Binghamton
11
Merge onto I 81
52 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 81
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
13
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
14
Turn left onto State Highway 16
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 16
15
Continue on NY 16
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Union Street
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
18
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
79 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
19
Continue on I 86
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Hopkins-Bowser Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-90: Erie
21
Merge onto I 90
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
AMVETS Memorial Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
23
Turn right onto PA 290; PA 430
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Station Road
24
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bayfront Connector
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Bayfront Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto East 10th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 10th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto State Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Street
28
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 319.5-mile drive, starting in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid rushing. The route is primarily highway, so plan for fuel stops strategically; you'll want to fill up before embarking on the longest 139.5-mile stretch on I-86. While the drive can comfortably be completed in one day, consider a brief stop midway if you prefer to break up the driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the less populated sections of I-86, to ensure you have enough to reach the next available service area.
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 159.8 miles from Clarks Summit, PA, or about 3h 10m 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 70 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.8 miles or 3h 10m 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 12m
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 Clarks Summit, 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 Clarks Summit, PA
This is one driving day of about 319.5 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Clarks Summit, 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
160 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.8 miles from Clarks Summit, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Campbell Rest Area
0 mi from route
Randolph Texting Zone / Parking Area
0 mi from route
Kanona Rest Area
0 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Nichols Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Owego Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Friendship Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hornellsville Scenic Overlook/ Texting Zone / Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Chautauqua Lake Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 312.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 6; US 11 / South State Street
Turn right onto US 6; US 11 / South State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 81, US 6 East, PATP South, I 476 South: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81, US 6 East, PATP South, I 476 South...
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barre
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 81, US 6 East: Binghamton, Wilkes-Barr...
6
154.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m 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
6
312.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m 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
$50.94 one way
$101.89 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $56.38 | $112.76 |
| premium | $4.81 | $60.48 | $120.96 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.33 | $120.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.55 | $15.34 |
| Efficient EV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.96 | $12.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.8 | 1 | $44.73 | $20.45 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Origin
Clarks Summit, PA
Late night in Clarks Summit on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 6 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night in Erie on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Smoke
W 5 mph
1% chance
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
1 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 26m 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?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 319.5 miles on major expressways. You'll encounter a substantial 139.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86), which means long periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, so be prepared for the typical experience of highway travel, including potential merges and exits concentrated around populated areas.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 0.6 miles in near US 6; US 11 / South State Street.
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 19 significant decision points across 319.5 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 0.6 miles (US 6; US 11 / South State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,945 ft
653 ft
Total Climb
1,382 ft
Total Descent
2,031 ft
Highest Point
1,945 ft
~182.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,292 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Clarks Summit, PA
Full guide →Founded 1911
Clarks Summit is a city in the Coal Region of Pennsylvania, near Scranton.
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 26m. Total distance: 319.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m 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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 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. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 6; US 11 / South State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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