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Trip from Erie, PA to Howard, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 59m

Distance

216.4 mi

348 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 47m ★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Howard, PA, PA

Howard, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 216.4-mile drive from Erie to Howard, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily on the Keystone Shortway, with segments of Raymond P. Shafer Highway and Eagle Valley Road mixed in. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $36. Given its manageable duration, it's a perfect candidate for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route offers a local feel, making it a straightforward journey within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

108.2 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 137.9 mi 2h 27m
Raymond P Shafer Highway 66.8 mi 1h 11m
Eagle Valley Road 7.4 mi 10m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
Walnut Street 0.9 mi 1m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
West Bayfront Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Greengarden Boulevard 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 137.9 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Howard, 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

138 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, Blanchard
9

Turn left onto PA 150

7.4 mi · 10 min · Eagle Valley Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Turn right onto PA 26

0.9 mi · 1 min · Walnut Street
11

Arrive at destination

PA 26

Trip Plan

With a total duration of under four hours, this 216.4-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can leave anytime that suits your schedule, but consider an early start to maximize your daylight hours. While the drive is relatively short, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch is 137.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you embark on that segment. The $36 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.9 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 48 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.2 miles or 2h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard, 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 216.4 miles and 3h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 137.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Punxsutawney, PA

108 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

Franklin, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Punxsutawney, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.2 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 137.9 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 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 207.8 — 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

4
69.6 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 80 East: Clarion

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 80 East: Clarion
5
207.8 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in

Take the exit toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, Blanchard

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

Toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, B...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.88 one way

$71.75 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $39.29 $78.59
premium $4.93 $41.97 $83.94
diesel $5.61 $47.78 $95.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.9 0 $22.72 $10.39
Efficient EV 54.1 0 $18.94 $8.66
EV Truck/SUV 86.6 1 $30.30 $13.85

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 mph 93% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Destination

Howard, PA

Late night in Howard on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

22 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

3h 59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than an interstate cruise, as this route has a 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 137.9 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a journey that will involve frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds as you transition between different local roads like Raymond P. Shafer Highway and Eagle Valley Road. The road's personality is more about engaging with the local terrain and communities than covering long distances at high speed.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 59m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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.

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 3h 59m. Total distance: 216.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 137.9 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Howard, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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