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Trip from Erie, PA to Grill, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 41m

Distance

351.9 mi

566 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 29m ★
6 AM
6h 41m
8 AM
7h 5m
10 AM
6h 49m
12 PM
6h 47m
3 PM
6h 51m
5 PM
7h 4m
8 PM
6h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Grill, PA, PA

Grill, PA

Gundula Vogel

Trip Overview

Embarking from Erie, PA, this 351.9-mile journey to Grill, PA, will take you approximately 6 hours and 41 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, and State Route 54, this route is best suited for a single day of driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, it's a budget-friendly trip within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Expect a driving experience that involves frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. This route offers a good balance for a day trip, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.

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

175.9 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 204.4 mi 3h 39m
Raymond P Shafer Highway 66.8 mi 1h 11m
State Route 54 11.1 mi 13m
Center Avenue 10.6 mi 12m
Pottsville Pike 10.2 mi 12m
Elysburg Road 9.7 mi 11m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Centre Street 4.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 204.4 mi, about 3h 39m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,074 veh/hr typical · worst 1,411

Quietest

2 AM

~183 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Grill, 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

204 mi · 3 hr 39 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
9

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec
10

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street
12

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
13

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
15

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway
16

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
17

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
18

Continue on PA 901

0.8 mi · 1 min · Sunbury Street
19

Turn right onto PA 901

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
20

Turn right onto PA 901

4.0 mi · 6 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
21

Continue on PA 901

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
22

Turn left onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street
23

Turn right onto PA 61

493 ft · 6 sec · Route 61 South
24

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Continue on PA 61

4.2 mi · 5 min · Centre Street
26

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 17 sec · South 4th Street
27

Continue on PA 61

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on PA 61

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on PA 61

3.2 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
31

Continue on PA 61

4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
32

Continue on PA 61

2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33

Continue on PA 61

1.2 mi · 2 min · North 4th Street
34

Keep slight right at fork onto US 222 BUS

273 ft · 4 sec · South 4th Street
35

Continue on US 222 Business

0.3 mi · 22 sec · Bingaman Street
36

Continue on US 222 BUS

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Lancaster Avenue
37

Turn slight left onto PA 625

1.3 mi · 2 min · New Holland Road
38

Turn left onto PA 724

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Philadelphia Avenue
39

Turn left onto Mountain View Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Mountain View Road
40

Turn right onto Center Street

483 ft · 21 sec · Center Street
41

Arrive at destination

Center Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 41-minute duration, starting your trip from Erie, PA, in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 351.9 miles, and consider utilizing the 204.4-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway for a more direct segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $58, and while it's a single-day drive, local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, and State Route 54, as these are where the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive becomes most apparent.

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 175.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.4 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 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 175.9 miles or 3h 13m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grill, 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 351.9 miles and 6h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 204.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Huntingdon, PA

176 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

Ellwood City, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Altoona, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.9 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204.4 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 274.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | Greengarden Boulevard

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | West Bayfront Parkway

Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

Navigation decision point

5
274.4 mi into trip | ~4h 58m in

Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
274.6 mi into trip | ~4h 59m in | PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.61 one way

$113.22 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $63.72 $127.43
premium $4.95 $68.63 $137.27
diesel $5.98 $82.85 $165.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.6 1 $36.95 $16.89
Efficient EV 88 1 $30.79 $14.08
EV Truck/SUV 140.8 1 $49.27 $22.52

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 14, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Afternoon in Erie on Sunday

Local time

3:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grill, PA

Afternoon in Grill on Sunday

Local time

3:34 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

SW 5 to 10 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM 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

20 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 41m 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

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...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 315.5
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

29 mi from route ~74 min detour Free near mile 351.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter more varied road conditions than a typical interstate trip. While 351.9 miles are covered, the highway share is moderate, suggesting a mix of faster sections and slower, more winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 204.4 miles, likely on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to other routes. Be prepared for the road to change character as you navigate through different segments, requiring your attention and adaptability behind the wheel.

Only 3% 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: 204.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 351.9 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Erie, PA to Grill, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.

Washingtonville

274.4 mi in | ~4h 58m

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1795

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

Top landmarks

  • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
  • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
  • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania

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 6h 41m. Total distance: 351.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 41m 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 204.4 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Grill, 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 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Valley Forge National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Grill, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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