Damascus, PA to Erie, PA is 334.9 miles and takes about 6h 51m via Southern Tier Expressway/I 86, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania and touching New York. Given its predominantly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day trip if you get an early start. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained expressways, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive 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
167.4 miles from Damascus, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 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
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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 Damascus, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on River Road
130 ft·6 sec·River Road
2
Turn right onto PA 371
494 ft·9 sec·Cochecton Turnpike
3
Continue on CR 114
0.8 mi·1 min·Newburgh Turnpike
4
Turn straight onto NY 97
25 mi·37 min·State Highway 97
5
Continue on NY 97
2.5 mi·3 min·Stockport Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto NY 97
0.2 mi·18 sec·East Front Street
7
Turn right onto NY 97
274 ft·10 sec·Read Street
8
Turn left onto NY 97
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
9
Turn right onto CR 67
0.1 mi·12 sec·Sands Creek Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
11
Merge onto NY 17
40 mi·48 min·NY 17
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 32Toward 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
Aim to depart from Damascus by mid-morning to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire 6h 51m drive. With a fuel cost estimated around $55, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 139.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway where services might be less frequent. While you could technically complete this drive in one day, a single planned stop for fuel and a meal should be sufficient. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace as needed. Pay attention to the transition from highway to more local roads as you get closer to Erie.
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 167.4 miles from Damascus, PA, or about 3h 27m 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.4 miles or 3h 27m 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 35m
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 Damascus, 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 Damascus, PA
This is one driving day of about 334.9 miles and 6h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Damascus, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.6 and 327.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
29.6 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the ramp toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Navigation decision point
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
5
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
169.9 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
323.2 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-90: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-90: Erie
6
327.7 mi into trip|~6h 37m 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
$53.40 one way
$106.80 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$59.10
$118.19
premium
$4.81
$63.39
$126.79
diesel
$4.80
$63.24
$126.47
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Newburgh Turnpike
(0.8 mi)$0.05
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
$53
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.5
1
$35.16
$16.08
Efficient EV
83.7
0
$29.30
$13.40
EV Truck/SUV
134
1
$46.89
$21.43
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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Damascus, PA
Morning
in Damascus on Sunday
Local time
10:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 9 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:02PM EDT until July 19 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:01PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
10:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Smoke
N 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:02PM EDT until July 19 at 7:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:01PM EDT until July 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
85°F
Waverly, NY
167 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
5 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 51m 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?
This drive is almost entirely on the highway, with 93% of the 334.9 miles on expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I 86. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 139.5 miles, also on the Southern Tier Expressway. Surface roads will likely appear towards the end of your trip as you approach your destination in Erie. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this predominantly high-speed corridor.
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 29.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 334.9 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 29.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 69.9 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.9 miles (I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 51m. Total distance: 334.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 51m 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 $0.05 in tolls one way, starting with Newburgh 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.
Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 69.9 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 169.9 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.
