Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon in Erie on Sunday
Local time
12:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Fairmount, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
357.3 mi
575 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 33m
10 AM
7h 19m
12 PM
7h 17m
3 PM
7h 20m
5 PM
7h 32m
8 PM
7h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Fairmount, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Erie to Fairmount is 357.3 miles and takes about 7h 11m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive with many turns, characteristic of a local road experience rather than a high-speed interstate journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll encounter a route that emphasizes the local character of 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.6 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m 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 |
| Philipsburg Bigler Highway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Beaver Valley Pike | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 6.2 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Fairmount, 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 73
Toward 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, Carlisle
Use 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 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: Hershey, York
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 46A
Toward I 283 South: Harrisburg International Airport
Use 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 1A
Toward PA 283 East: Harrisburg International Airport, Lancaster
Use the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto PA 283
29 mi
·
33 min
·
PA 283
31
Merge onto US 30
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
US 30
32
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Greenfield Road
33
Keep slight left at fork
242 ft
·
11 sec
34
Turn left onto Greenfield Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenfield Road
35
Turn right onto PA 340
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Philadelphia Pike
36
Turn slight right onto PA 462
320 ft
·
13 sec
·
Lincoln Highway East
37
Turn left onto Lampeter Road
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Lampeter Road
38
Continue on Penn Grant Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Penn Grant Road
39
Turn left onto US 222
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Beaver Valley Pike
40
Continue on US 222
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
41
Turn right onto US 222
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Church Street
42
Continue on US 222
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Robert Fulton Highway
43
Turn slight left onto Little Britain Road North
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Little Britain Road North
44
Turn slight left onto Fairmount Road
49 ft
·
2 sec
·
Fairmount Road
45
Arrive at destination
Fairmount Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 11m estimated duration, starting your drive from Erie in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With two recommended stops along the 357.3-mile route, you can break up the drive strategically. Consider planning your fuel stops around the longest stretch of 103.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway to ensure you don't run low. This one-day trip allows for flexibility, so you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 178.6 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 16m 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 79 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.6 miles or 3h 16m 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 Fairmount, 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 357.3 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.6 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 208.9 and 303.3 — 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...
7
293.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Hershey, Hazleton, Carlisle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East, I 81 South: Her...
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.24 one way
$118.47 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $64.88 | $129.75 |
| premium | $4.93 | $69.29 | $138.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.89 | $157.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.52 | $17.15 |
| Efficient EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.9 | 1 | $50.02 | $22.87 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Destination
Fairmount, PA
Afternoon in Fairmount on Sunday
Local time
12:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Wellsville, NY
179 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
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 11m 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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 283.4
View on nps.gov
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 308
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 357.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive with only 14% of the journey on highways. You'll experience the General Potter Highway and Raymond P Shafer Highway, which contribute to the more winding nature of the trip. The longest stretch without a turn-off or significant change is 103.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Prepare for a drive where you'll be actively navigating, with a consistent engagement required from the driver.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 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 Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 357.3 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 293.3 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fairmount, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College, Hazleton, Carlisle, York and Lancaster.
Shawville
173.3 mi in
|
~3h 10m
State College
208.9 mi in
|
~3h 55m
|
via US 322
Hazleton
293.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
|
via US 322
Carlisle
293.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
|
via US 322
York
296.2 mi in
|
~5h 47m
|
via US 322
Lancaster
303.3 mi in
|
~5h 57m
About the Cities
Starting in Erie, PA
Full guide →Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 357.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m 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.
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 Fairmount, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 293.3 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and First State National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fairmount, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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