Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Erie, PA to Sun Valley, PA

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 27, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 18m

Distance

341.9 mi

550 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 6m ★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 27m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 11m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Sun Valley, PA, PA

Sun Valley, PA

Erica On The Go

Trip Overview

This 341.9-mile journey from Erie, PA to Sun Valley, PA will take approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on the Keystone Shortway and the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, with a portion on PA 115. With a fuel cost estimated at $57, this Northeast Pennsylvania drive offers a turn-heavy local feel rather than a fast-paced interstate experience. Given the duration and road type, consider if you prefer to tackle it all at once or break it up, though the recommended one day is certainly achievable.

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

170.9 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 263.9 mi 4h 46m
Raymond P Shafer Highway 66.8 mi 1h 11m
PA 115 6.9 mi 9m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
Mathews Drive 0.4 mi <1m
West Bayfront Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Greengarden Boulevard 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 263.9 mi, about 4h 46m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,084 veh/hr typical · worst 1,463

Quietest

2 AM

~184 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Sun Valley, 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

264 mi · 4 hr 46 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
10

Turn straight onto PA 115

6.9 mi · 9 min · PA 115
11

Turn left onto Mathews Drive

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Mathews Drive
12

Turn right onto Candlewood Lane

451 ft · 21 sec · Candlewood Lane
13

Turn right onto Allegheny Drive

13 ft · 0 sec · Allegheny Drive
14

Arrive at destination

Allegheny Drive

Trip Plan

To best enjoy this 6-hour, 18-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one stop recommended, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the midpoint of the 263.9-mile longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $57 estimated cost suggests it’s a significant factor. This route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying close attention to navigation and road signs is key, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, Raymond P. Shafer Highway, and PA 115.

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 170.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.9 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 170.9 miles or 3h 8m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sun Valley, 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 341.9 miles and 6h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 263.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Altoona, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altoona, PA

171 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

Ellwood City, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Altoona, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 170.9 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 263.9 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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 341.9 — 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
333.9 mi into trip | ~6h 5m in

Take the exit toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee

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

Toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
5
341.9 mi into trip | ~6h 18m in | Allegheny Drive

Turn right onto Allegheny Drive

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.78 one way

$111.56 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.56 $61.34 $122.68
premium $4.86 $65.46 $130.92
diesel $5.40 $72.73 $145.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 119.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 102.6 1 $35.90 $16.41
Efficient EV 85.5 0 $29.92 $13.68
EV Truck/SUV 136.8 1 $47.87 $21.88

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 14, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Evening in Erie on Sunday

Local time

8:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 7 to 12 mph 76% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Sun Valley, PA

Evening in Sun Valley on Sunday

Local time

8:50 PM

EDT

Current temp

43°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

12 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

6h 18m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 341.9-mile route, which means you'll experience a good amount of varied road conditions. While there's some highway share, the profile suggests a more engaging, less monotonous journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 263.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of consistent travel. This route is designed for a more involved driving experience, so be prepared for changes in speed and direction as you navigate through different segments.

Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.

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 Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 18m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

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 →

Founded 1795

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

Top landmarks

  • • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
  • • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
  • • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania

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 6h 18m. Total distance: 341.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 263.9 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.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sun Valley, 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 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sun Valley, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Erie, PA

Manchester, VT 430.9 mi · 8h 54m Baldwin, PA 425.1 mi · 7h 54m Pennsport, PA 424.4 mi · 7h 54m Moore, PA 424.2 mi · 7h 54m Collingdale, PA 422.4 mi · 7h 55m Darby, PA 421.1 mi · 7h 54m

More trips to Sun Valley, PA

Pittsburgh, PA 279.5 mi Bristol, PA 106.3 mi Philadelphia, PA 98.7 mi
Escape planner: Erie, PA Scenic drives in PA

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.