Trip from Erie, PA to Salem, PA

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

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

291.1 mi

469 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 24m ★

6 AM

5h 37m

8 AM

6h 4m

10 AM

5h 46m

12 PM

5h 44m

3 PM

5h 48m

5 PM

6h 2m

8 PM

5h 29m

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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Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Salem, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

Spanning 291.1 miles across the state of Pennsylvania, this trek from Erie to Salem takes approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it functions best as a focused, one-day commitment rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget roughly $48 for fuel to cover the distance, which is primarily navigated via local thoroughfares like West 12th Street, Greengarden Boulevard, and the West Bayfront Parkway. Navigating entirely on local roads means you will trade high-speed transit for a more hands-on driving experience. Given the duration and the nature of the roads, it is a manageable trip for a single day, provided you are prepared for a steady pace behind the wheel.

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

145.6 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	161.1 mi	2h 56m
Raymond P Shafer Highway	104 mi	1h 51m
Upper Strasburg Road	9.2 mi	16m
Cumberland Highway	4 mi	5m
Fannettsburg Road East	2.1 mi	3m
Path Valley Road	2.1 mi	3m
West 12th Street	2 mi	4m
Coffey Avenue	1.5 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 161.1 mi, about 2h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Salem, PA.

Start on State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.0 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway

Continue on I 79

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 76; PATP

161 mi · 2 hr 56 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec

Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon Use the slight right lane.

Continue on Willow Hill Interchange

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Willow Hill Interchange

Turn right onto PA 75

2.1 mi · 3 min · Path Valley Road

Turn left onto Fannettsburg Road East

2.1 mi · 3 min · Fannettsburg Road East

Continue on Shinabrook Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Shinabrook Road

Turn straight onto Upper Strasburg Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · Upper Strasburg Road

At end of road, turn right onto Upper Strasburg Road

6.2 mi · 11 min · Upper Strasburg Road

Turn right onto PA 997

4.0 mi · 5 min · Cumberland Highway

Turn right onto Coffey Avenue

1.5 mi · 3 min · Coffey Avenue

Continue on Letterkenny Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Letterkenny Road

Turn left onto Salem Road

132 ft · 3 sec · Salem Road

Arrive at destination

Salem Road

Trip Plan

Since this 5-hour and 36-minute journey relies exclusively on local roads, planning your departure is key to avoiding peak traffic congestion. With only one planned stop included in the itinerary, you should identify a convenient spot to pull over early to ensure your $48 fuel budget is managed effectively. Because the route is quite turn-intensive, check your navigation frequently to stay on the correct path through the local streets like West Bayfront Parkway. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this trip, so don't hesitate to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected local road maintenance. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as the lack of highway access means you will need to rely on local service stations along the way.

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 145.6 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.1 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.6 miles or 2h 43m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Salem, 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 291.1 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 161.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

White, PA

146 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

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Murrysville, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.6 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 161.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.6

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

2.3 mi

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meadville, Pennsylvania

2.4 mi

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.6

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 166.4

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 41.6

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 145.6

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17245155983

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.6

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.8

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14128269680

Visit website

Hartwood Restaurant & Whispers Pub

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 124.8

Glenshaw, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm

+14127673500

Visit website

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.6

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 166.4

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 187.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

1.4 mi from route

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Erie, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+18144347376

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 270 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

106.7 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike

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 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike

107.3 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

108.1 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg

270 mi into trip | ~4h 59m in

Take the exit toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.26 one way

$96.52 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$52.86	$105.71
premium	$4.93	$56.46	$112.91
diesel	$5.61	$64.27	$128.54

Estimated Tolls: $20.95

Pennsylvania Turnpike (161.1 mi) $20.95

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Tolls

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$94–$119

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.3	1	$30.57	$13.97
Efficient EV	72.8	0	$25.47	$11.64
EV Truck/SUV	116.4	1	$40.75	$18.63

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 15, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Sunday

Local time

9:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Salem, PA

Morning in Salem on Sunday

Local time

9:26 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 36m on the road

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

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 that demands your full attention, as this route features a 0% highway share. Instead of the monotonous rhythm of an interstate, you will be navigating surface streets and local corridors for the duration of the 291.1-mile journey. The character of the road is defined by frequent turns and a consistent, lower-speed environment that keeps you engaged with the local landscape. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed cruising here; rather, the drive requires a more deliberate, stop-and-start approach as you transition through the various local road segments. It is a practical route for those who prefer local roads over the predictability of major expressways.

55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 161.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 291.1 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 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: 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.

Between Erie, PA and Salem, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Fort Loudon.

Cranberry

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Pennsylvania Turnpike

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Youngstown Ohio

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Harrisburg

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Patp: Youngstown Ohio

108.1 mi in | ~2h 1m

Fort Loudon

270 mi in | ~4h 59m

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 5h 36m. Total distance: 291.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 161.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $20.95 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

Yes — we found about 20 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 Salem, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Salem, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Salem, PA to Erie, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

286 mi 5h 34m

Explore more options from Erie, PA or browse trips ending in Salem, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Trip from Erie, PA to Salem, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Nino's Restaurant

Valenza Restaurant

Cenacolo Restaurant

China Garden Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Hartwood Restaurant & Whispers Pub

Persichetti's Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Blink Charging Station

Oakmont Plum Service Plaza

South Midway Service Plaza

North Midway Service Plaza

New Stanton Service Plaza

North Somerset Service Plaza

South Somerset Service Plaza

Sideling Hill Service Plaza

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

Bicentennial Tower

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Erie, PA

Salem, PA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 36m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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