Erie to Conewago is 313.5 miles and takes about 6h 13m via Keystone Shortway and General Potter Highway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, crossing the Northeast region. Given it's mostly surface roads, expect a steady pace without the constant acceleration and braking of major interstate travel. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is a straightforward way to cover a significant distance in a single day, making it ideal if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stay.
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
156.7 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m 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
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
PA 283
6.3 mi
7m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Port Matilda Highway
5.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 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 Erie, PA and Conewago, 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
6.3 mi·7 min·PA 283
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Toll House RoadUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
288 ft·7 sec
Toward Middletown, Toll House RoadUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto PA 341 Truck
0.1 mi·15 sec·Toll House Road
34
Turn left onto PA 230
1.6 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
35
Turn right onto South Deodate Road
1.1 mi·2 min·South Deodate Road
36
Continue on Zeager Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Zeager Road
37
Arrive at destination
Zeager Road
Trip Plan
For this 6h 13m drive, leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach Conewago comfortably. While the route is doable in a single day, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace or want to explore any towns along the way. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 100 miles, so plan for a stop around that point if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $57, it’s wise to fill up before you depart or find a station shortly after you begin to avoid any last-minute price hunting. Pay attention to posted speed limits on the numerous surface road sections.
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 156.7 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 52m 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 69 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.7 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Conewago, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 313.5 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Erie, 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 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 208.9 and 310.1 — 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
310.1 mi into trip|~6h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Middletown, Toll House Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Middletown, Toll House Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.44 one way
$110.89 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$60.73
$121.45
premium
$5.24
$64.72
$129.45
diesel
$5.35
$66.03
$132.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.1
1
$32.92
$15.05
Efficient EV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
EV Truck/SUV
125.4
1
$43.89
$20.06
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 May 19, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Evening
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 9 to 14 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Conewago, PA
Evening
in Conewago on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
3 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 13m 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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 281
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 313.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on surface roads, with highways making up only 8% of the total mileage. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 103.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which will likely feel like more open-road cruising before transitioning to surface streets. Keep an eye out for the shift from highway driving to the more community-oriented pace of surface roads, especially as you navigate through towns and approach your destination.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 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 22 significant decision points across 313.5 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
1,753 ft358 ft
Total Climb
1,552 ft
Total Descent
1,788 ft
Highest Point
1,753 ft
~179.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,395 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 Conewago, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College, Hazleton, Carlisle and York.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 313.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m 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 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 Conewago, 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 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 and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Conewago, PA before the return drive.
