Erie to Spangler is 182.9 miles and takes about 3 hours 40 minutes via Raymond P Shafer Highway, Keystone Shortway, and Colonel Drake Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region south into another part of the Northeast. Expect a route with numerous turns, suggesting a more local, less highway-focused experience. It's a drive that offers flexibility for a single-day excursion, allowing you to set out and arrive without needing an overnight stay.
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
91.4 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
Keystone Shortway
59.1 mi
1h 3m
Colonel Drake Highway
17.8 mi
26m
West Mahoning Street
13.7 mi
24m
Patchin Highway
6.4 mi
7m
Burnside McGee Highway
4.2 mi
4m
Shawna Road
3.6 mi
4m
Main Street
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 66.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Spangler, 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
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward PA 36: Sigel, Brookville
9
Turn right onto PA 36; PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi·1 min·Allegheny Boulevard
10
Turn left onto US 322; PA 28; PA 36
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Turn right onto PA 36
0.7 mi·1 min·North White Street
12
Continue on PA 36
18 mi·26 min·Colonel Drake Highway
13
Continue on PA 36
14 mi·24 min·West Mahoning Street
14
Turn sharp right onto US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
15
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 219
2.1 mi·2 min·Main Street
17
Continue on US 219
6.4 mi·7 min·Patchin Highway
18
Turn left onto US 219
0.7 mi·49 sec·Main Street
19
Continue on US 219
3.6 mi·4 min·Shawna Road
20
Continue on US 219
1.2 mi·1 min·Philadelphia Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 219
0.2 mi·15 sec·Crawford Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 219
346 ft·4 sec·40th Street
23
Continue on US 219
1.3 mi·1 min·Bigler Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
US 219
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 40-minute estimated duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for any unscheduled stops or to simply enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, ensure your tank is full before you leave Erie, as the longest stretch without a break is over 66 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye out for local establishments along the way for breaks or refreshments, especially since the route involves many turns and may feel longer than the pure driving time suggests.
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 91.4 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.8 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.4 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spangler, 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 182.9 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 Raymond P Shafer Highway for about 66.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 91.4 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 Raymond P Shafer Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 162.8 — 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
5
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward PA 36: Sigel, Brookville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 36: Sigel, Brookville
5
162.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|US 219 / Burnside - McGees Highway
Turn sharp right onto US 219 / Burnside - McGees Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.32 one way
$60.65 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$33.21
$66.42
premium
$4.93
$35.47
$70.94
diesel
$5.61
$40.38
$80.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.9
0
$19.20
$8.78
Efficient EV
45.7
0
$16.00
$7.32
EV Truck/SUV
73.2
0
$25.61
$11.71
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
11:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Spangler, PA
Morning
in Spangler on Tuesday
Local time
11:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
3 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
3h 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 182.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you won't be on uninterrupted highways for the entire 182.9 miles. While the highway share is 0%, indicating no interstate driving, you will encounter significant stretches on named roads like Raymond P Shafer Highway. The longest continuous segment you'll navigate is 66.8 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation due to frequent directional changes rather than sustained high-speed travel.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.8 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 40m drive. You will face about 14 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.
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 Spangler, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Brookville along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.8 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. 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.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Spangler, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
