Erie to Coatesville is 362.5 miles and takes about 7h 18m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across Pennsylvania from the Northeast region to the Northeast region, mostly on surface roads. With only a 14% highway share, expect a more leisurely pace than a typical interstate trip. This route is best suited for those who prefer to see more of the state than what's visible from a high-speed highway, making it a good option for a single-day excursion if you're comfortable with the longer drive time.
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
181.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
General Potter Highway
75.6 mi
1h 35m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
PA 283
28.9 mi
33m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Old Philadelphia Pike
7.4 mi
12m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,034 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 78 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 Erie, PA and Coatesville, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.0 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi·23 sec·Greengarden Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Bayfront Parkway
5
Continue on I 79
67 mi·1 hr 11 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
7
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
9
Merge onto PA 970
1.4 mi·1 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
11
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
12
Continue on US 322
0.3 mi·23 sec·North Front Street
13
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Centre Street
14
Turn left onto US 322
1.1 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
15
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
16
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
17
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
18
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi·8 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
21
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
76 mi·1 hr 35 min·General Potter Highway
23
Take the exit onto US 322
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 322
0.9 mi·1 min·US 322
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hershey, Hazleton
25
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
4.3 mi·5 min·US 322
Exit 70Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, YorkUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 46AToward I 283 South: Harrisburg International AirportUse the slight left lane.
28
Continue on I 283
2.7 mi·3 min·I 283
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 1AToward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Airport, LancasterUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto PA 283
29 mi·33 min·PA 283
31
Merge onto US 30
4.4 mi·6 min·US 30
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward PA 340
33
Keep slight left at fork
258 ft·11 sec
34
Turn left onto PA 340
7.4 mi·12 min·Old Philadelphia Pike
35
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 772
5.4 mi·9 min·Newport Road
36
Turn left onto US 30
5.4 mi·8 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
5.7 mi·7 min·Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass
38
Take the exit
272 ft·6 sec
Toward CoatesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork
455 ft·11 sec
Toward PA 82 South: CoatesvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
40
Turn straight onto PA 82
1.5 mi·2 min·North 1st Avenue
Use the straight lane.
41
Arrive at destination
PA 82
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 18m estimated drive time, starting early from Erie is recommended to make the most of daylight. Plan for at least two stops to break up the 362.5 miles and stay refreshed. With a fuel cost estimated around $61, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 103.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key; the predominantly surface road nature means you can adjust your pace based on local 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.2 miles or 3h 19m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coatesville, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Erie, 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 Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 362.5 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 103.3 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 208.9 and 360.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
208.9 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
9
296.2 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
8
300.4 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Ai...
8
303.3 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
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 1A
Toward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Ai...
8
360.9 mi into trip|~7h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 82 South: Coatesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 82 South: Coatesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.31 one way
$126.62 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$69.32
$138.63
premium
$5.20
$74.16
$148.31
diesel
$6.28
$89.57
$179.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.06
$17.40
Efficient EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
EV Truck/SUV
145
1
$50.75
$23.20
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Coatesville, PA
Late night
in Coatesville on Saturday
Local time
5:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Widespread Frost
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College 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
13 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
7h 18m 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.
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 287.5
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
near mile 362.5
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 312.5
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 362.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive covers 362.5 miles, with only 14% on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering 103.3 miles, before transitioning to more surface roads. Expect to navigate through towns and rural areas for the majority of your travel. The profile indicates mostly surface roads, so be prepared for varied speed limits and potentially more frequent intersections compared to a high-speed freeway.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 208.9 miles in near US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway.
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 28 significant decision points across 362.5 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 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.2 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,773 ft322 ft
Total Climb
1,479 ft
Total Descent
1,810 ft
Highest Point
1,773 ft
~155.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,451 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Erie, PA and Coatesville, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College, Hazleton, Carlisle, York and Lancaster.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 18m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Coatesville, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.2 miles (US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, First State National Historical Park and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Coatesville, PA before the return drive.
