Erie to Manchester is 316.9 miles and takes about 6h 20m via Keystone Shortway and General Potter Highway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to its southern part. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a highway cruise, with a relatively low highway share of 8%. This route is best suited for a single day of driving if you're looking for a straightforward trip across 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.5 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
General Potter Highway
79.4 mi
1h 42m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
I 83
14.7 mi
18m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
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-83
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,943 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~241 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 45 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 Manchester, 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
79 mi·1 hr 42 min·General Potter Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Paxton Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Paxton Street
24
Turn right onto South 13th Street
269 ft·3 sec·South 13th Street
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 83 South: York
26
Merge onto I 83
1.5 mi·2 min·I 83
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83
13 mi·16 min·I 83
Toward I 83 South: York, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward PA 297: Strinestown, Zions View
29
Turn sharp left onto PA 297
0.1 mi·16 sec·Susquehanna Trail
30
Turn right onto Locust Point Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Locust Point Road
31
Continue on Locust Point Road
0.8 mi·2 min·Locust Point Road
32
At end of road, turn left onto PA 921
1.2 mi·2 min·Zions View Road
33
Continue on PA 921
0.1 mi·21 sec·Musser Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto PA 181; PA 921
0.4 mi·39 sec·South Main Street
35
Turn right onto PA 921
476 ft·10 sec·Maple Street
36
Turn left onto High Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·High Street
37
Arrive at destination
High Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 20m estimated duration, consider an early morning departure from Erie to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a $53 fuel budget, planning your fuel fill-ups strategically will be key, especially since the longest stretch without major road changes is over 100 miles. Keep an eye on the road profile, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' suggests you'll be navigating many intersections and potentially slower local roads, so paying attention to signage and your GPS is crucial for staying on track to Manchester.
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 158.5 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 54m 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, 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 316.9 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 299.1 — 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.
6
205 mi into trip|~3h 50m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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...
8
299.1 mi into trip|~5h 54m in|I 83
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.70 one way
$103.40 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$56.85
$113.71
premium
$4.86
$60.67
$121.35
diesel
$5.40
$67.41
$134.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.1
1
$33.27
$15.21
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.73
$12.68
EV Truck/SUV
126.8
1
$44.37
$20.28
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 25, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Areas Of Fog
NE 7 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manchester, PA
Afternoon
in Manchester on Sunday
Local time
2:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Widespread Rain Showers
E 9 to 13 mph94% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 20m 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 284.1
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 295
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey offers a turn-heavy local drive, with only 8% of the route on highways. You'll spend most of your time on roads like the Keystone Shortway and General Potter Highway, experiencing a more intimate connection with the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a good segment of consistent travel. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you navigate through various local roads, making for a dynamic driving experience.
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?
9/10
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 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 316.9 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 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 205 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Manchester, PA, road signs point toward Shawville, State College and Baltimore.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 316.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m 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 Manchester, 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 205 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manchester, PA before the return drive.
