East Earl to Erie is 350.4 miles and takes about 6h 58m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region towards its northern border. Expect a mixed drive that's manageable in a single day, though you'll want to be mindful of the longest stretches. It offers a straightforward path connecting two points within the state.
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
175.2 miles from East Earl, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
US 322
54.4 mi
1h 7m
PA 283
28.6 mi
33m
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
US 222
11.6 mi
14m
Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Earl, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on East Earl Road
0.3 mi·31 sec·East Earl Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 322
7.2 mi·12 min·Division Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 322
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto US 222
9.8 mi·11 min·US 222
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222
1.7 mi·2 min·US 222
Toward US 30 West
7
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283
29 mi·33 min·PA 283
Toward PA 283 West: HarrisburgUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi·2 min·I 283
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
12
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
13
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
14
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 322
Exit 67A; 67BToward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 322
Exit 67BToward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State CollegeUse the slight right lane.
16
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
17
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
20
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
22
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
23
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
24
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
25
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
26
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
28
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
30
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
32
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given this drive is just under 7 hours, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach Erie before evening. There's one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the Keystone Shortway or near the transition to I-79 to break up the 102.7-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer highway segments. Given the single-day nature of this trip, flexibility is your advantage; adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for driving conditions.
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 175.2 miles from East Earl, PA, or about 3h 45m 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 77 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.2 miles or 3h 45m 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 49m
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 East Earl, 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 East Earl, PA
This is one driving day of about 350.4 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from East Earl, 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 102.7 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 57.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|US 322 / Division Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 322 / Division Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
19.4 mi into trip|~28m in|PA 283
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283 toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
7
50.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
$58.09 one way
$116.18 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$63.62
$127.25
premium
$4.93
$67.96
$135.91
diesel
$5.61
$77.36
$154.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.1
1
$36.79
$16.82
Efficient EV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
EV Truck/SUV
140.2
1
$49.06
$22.43
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 15, 2026
Origin
East Earl, PA
Morning
in East Earl on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
175 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
12 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 58m 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 route offers a mixed driving experience, with 59% of it on highways. You'll encounter a 102.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, which can feel like a significant portion of the drive. The journey transitions from more local roads to faster highway travel as you progress. Be prepared for a blend of speeds and road types that keeps the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 322 / Division Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 350.4 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 0.3 miles (US 322 / Division Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 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 East Earl, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 350.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m 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.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 322 / Division Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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.
