Origin
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Vernon, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
292.4 mi
471 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 56m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 19m
5 PM
6h 33m
8 PM
6h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Vernon, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Erie to Vernon is 292.4 miles and takes about 6h 9m via Southern Tier Expressway, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and US 220, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained expressways, making it a straightforward drive.
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 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 205.1 mi | 3h 57m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| US 220 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| Roosevelt Highway | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Bayfront Connector | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| AMVETS Memorial Highway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| PA 292 | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 205.1 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Vernon, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Street
2
Turn left onto East 8th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 8th Street
3
Turn right onto East Bayfront Parkway
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Bayfront Parkway
4
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bayfront Connector
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on PA 290; PA 430
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Station Road
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
AMVETS Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 37
Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
9
Continue on I 86
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Hopkins-Bowser Highway
10
Continue on I 86; NY 17
205 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 60
Toward US 220: Waverly, Sayre
12
Turn right onto US 220
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 220
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 6: Towanda, Troy
14
Turn left onto US 6
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Roosevelt Highway
15
Continue on US 6
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Reuter Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
York Avenue
18
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
19
Turn left onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 6
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Golden Mile Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 6
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 6
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
23
Continue on US 6
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 6
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
25
Continue on US 6
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
River Street
26
Continue on US 6
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
27
Continue on US 6
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Roosevelt Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 6
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward US 6 Bypass East: Scranton
29
Turn right onto PA 29
300 ft
·
10 sec
·
Bridge Street
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on PA 29
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Tunkhannock Highway
31
Continue on PA 29
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Hunter Highway
32
Continue on PA 29
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Tunkhannock Highway
33
Continue on PA 292
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 292
34
Turn sharp left onto School House Road
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
School House Road
35
Arrive at destination
School House Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim to depart in the morning, allowing ample daylight for the entire journey. With a single recommended stop and a drive that can be completed in one day, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the longest stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might become less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $48 is a helpful budget point for planning your expenses on this Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania route.
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 146.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 205.1 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 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 2h 55m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 292.4 miles and 6h 9m.
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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 205.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.2 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 205.1 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 282.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 86 East: Jamestown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 37
Toward I 86 East: Jamestown
6
223.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 220: Waverly, Sayre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 60
Toward US 220: Waverly, Sayre
5
224.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
|
US 220
Turn right onto US 220
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
243.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m in
|
US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Turn left onto US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
282.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 52m in
|
PA 29 / Bridge Street
Turn right onto PA 29 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.48 one way
$96.95 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $53.09 | $106.18 |
| premium | $4.93 | $56.71 | $113.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.56 | $129.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.7 | 1 | $30.70 | $14.04 |
| Efficient EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.58 | $11.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117 | 1 | $40.94 | $18.71 |
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.
Destination
Vernon, PA
Morning in Vernon on Tuesday
Local time
7:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
18 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 9m 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?
You'll be on the highway for about 77% of this 292.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 205.1 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination. The high percentage of highway miles suggests a consistent driving pace with fewer interruptions from traffic lights or intersections for significant portions of the trip.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 205.1 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Grand Army of the Republic Highway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 292.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.2 miles (US 220): 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.
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 Vernon, PA, road signs point toward Sayre and Troy.
Sayre
223.9 mi in
|
~4h 25m
Troy
239.2 mi in
|
~4h 43m
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 6h 9m. Total distance: 292.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 205.1 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 Vernon, 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 223.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.2 miles (US 220): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernon, 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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