Ephrata to Erie is 339 miles and takes about 6h 46m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Pennsylvania for its entirety, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward, single-day trip if you get an early start. The total duration is manageable, so it's a good option for a quick getaway or a functional transit between these two points.
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
169.5 miles from Ephrata, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m 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
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18.7 mi
20m
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,059 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,339
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Ephrata, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on US 322
5.0 mi·9 min·West Main Street
2
Continue on US 322
6.5 mi·9 min·East 28th Division Highway
3
Continue on US 322
3.9 mi·5 min·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork
333 ft·11 sec
Toward PA 72 South: PA Turnpike, Lancaster
5
Turn left onto PA 72
1.7 mi·2 min·Lebanon Road
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward PATP
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
8
Merge onto I 76; PATP
19 mi·20 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 247Toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, HersheyUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 283
2.5 mi·3 min·I 283
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
13
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
14
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
15
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
16
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.
17
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
18
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
21
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
23
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
24
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
25
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
26
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
27
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
29
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
31
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
33
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under seven hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart Ephrata in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid any potential evening slowdowns. You'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break, especially since the longest stretch is over 100 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you move between highway and surface road segments, as service availability can vary. The recommended fuel cost of $62 should cover your expenses, but it’s always wise to have a little extra.
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 169.5 miles from Ephrata, PA, or about 3h 40m 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 75 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.5 miles or 3h 40m 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 38m
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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, PA
This is one driving day of about 339 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Ephrata, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.4 and 46 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.4 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 72 South: PA Turnpike, Lancaster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 72 South: PA Turnpike, Lancaster
8
36.3 mi into trip|~48m 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
39.1 mi into trip|~53m 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
39.3 mi into trip|~54m 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
46 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
$54.05 one way
$108.11 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$59.82
$119.64
premium
$4.81
$64.17
$128.34
diesel
$4.80
$64.01
$128.02
Estimated Tolls: $2.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(18.7 mi)$2.44
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
$54
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.7
1
$35.60
$16.27
Efficient EV
84.8
0
$29.66
$13.56
EV Truck/SUV
135.6
1
$47.46
$21.70
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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
Ephrata, PA
Evening
in Ephrata on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog
W 8 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
Evening
in Erie on Monday
Local time
8:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Smoke
N 13 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
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
2 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 46m 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.
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 11.7
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 58.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 55% of your time on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, primarily using US 322 and I-79. Be prepared for a mixed driving experience, with some quicker highway cruising followed by more local traffic on surface segments.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 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 15.4 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 339 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 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.1 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,599 ft357 ft
Total Climb
1,769 ft
Total Descent
1,474 ft
Highest Point
1,599 ft
~145.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,242 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ephrata, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Hershey, State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 339 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 $2.44 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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 39.1 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
