Erie, PA to Scotland, PA is 292.5 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, transitioning from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a fairly direct trip, primarily utilizing major highways. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward journey with a manageable duration and a clear path. The estimated fuel cost is around $48, making it a budget-friendly option for a single-day trip.
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
146.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m 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
6.2 mi
10m
Fannettsburg Road East
2.1 mi
3m
Path Valley Road
2.1 mi
3m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Shinabrook Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 161.1 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-79
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,438 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,767
Quietest
2 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Scotland, 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
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 78-77Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 77Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
161 mi·2 hr 56 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort LoudonUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on Willow Hill Interchange
0.3 mi·33 sec·Willow Hill Interchange
13
Turn right onto PA 75
2.1 mi·3 min·Path Valley Road
14
Turn left onto Fannettsburg Road East
2.1 mi·3 min·Fannettsburg Road East
15
Continue on Shinabrook Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Shinabrook Road
16
Turn straight onto Upper Strasburg Road
3.0 mi·5 min·Upper Strasburg Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto Upper Strasburg Road
6.2 mi·11 min·Upper Strasburg Road
18
Turn right onto PA 997
4.0 mi·5 min·Cumberland Highway
19
Continue on PA 997
2.3 mi·4 min·Cumberland Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 997
459 ft·8 sec·Black Gap Road
21
Turn right onto Scotland Main Street
1.0 mi·2 min·Scotland Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
Scotland Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 39m duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to make the most of daylight. While the longest stretch is over 161 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto smaller roads towards the end. The $48 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices. There's one suggested stop, which is a good point to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite.
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 146.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 44m 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 146.2 miles or 2h 44m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scotland, 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 292.5 miles and 5h 39m.
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.
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.
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.
8
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
8
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
9
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
7
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
$51.73 one way
$103.46 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$56.66
$113.31
premium
$5.24
$60.39
$120.78
diesel
$5.35
$61.61
$123.22
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
$52
Tolls
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.71
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.59
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.95
$18.72
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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Partly Sunny
W 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Scotland, PA
Afternoon
in Scotland on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 7 mph6% 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
12 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
5h 39m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 201.7
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 171.4
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 221.9
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 292.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with about 55% of it on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which allows for consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 161.1 miles on this turnpike. As you progress, the drive will transition from the turnpike to roads like Raymond P Shafer Highway and Upper Strasburg Road, likely introducing more varied road conditions and potentially lower speed limits.
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 Effort7/10
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 292.5 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,222 ft653 ft
Total Climb
2,955 ft
Total Descent
2,908 ft
Highest Point
2,222 ft
~188 mi in
Elevation Range
1,570 ft
Notable High Points
2,222 ft at ~188 miles+578 ft prominence
1,661 ft at ~250.7 miles+562 ft prominence
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 Scotland, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Fort Loudon.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 292.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Scotland, 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.
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.
Yes — Flight 93 National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Johnstown Flood National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scotland, PA before the return drive.
