Erie to West Fairview is 298.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With most of the drive on surface roads, expect a more local feel than a pure interstate cruise. It's a single-day trip that allows for a relaxed pace, especially if you depart mid-morning.
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
149.1 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
Keystone Shortway
103.3 mi
1h 50m
General Potter Highway
74 mi
1h 33m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Mount Nittany Expressway
6.2 mi
8m
Port Matilda Highway
5.9 mi
8m
I 99
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.3 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,059 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,339
Quietest
2 AM
~181 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 West Fairview, 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
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward PA 970 to US 322: Woodland, Shawville
9
Merge onto PA 970
1.4 mi·1 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
11
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
12
Continue on US 322
0.3 mi·23 sec·North Front Street
13
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·15 sec·North Centre Street
14
Turn left onto US 322
1.1 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
15
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
16
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
17
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
18
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
6.2 mi·8 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
Exit 73Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
21
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
74 mi·1 hr 33 min·General Potter Highway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward PA 39: LinglestownUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
121 ft·4 sec
25
Turn right onto PA 39
0.4 mi·52 sec·Linglestown Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto North Front Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Front Street
Use the left / right lanes.
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
28
Merge onto I 81
0.5 mi·43 sec·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·10 sec
Exit 65Toward US 11, US 15: Marysville, EnolaUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Enola
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Enola
32
Turn straight onto US 11; US 15
263 ft·5 sec·North Enola Road
33
Continue on US 11; US 15
3.2 mi·6 min·North Enola Road
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·30 sec
35
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·2nd Street
36
Turn right onto North Street
108 ft·4 sec·North Street
37
Arrive at destination
North Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 54m estimated drive time, leaving Erie any time before midday should get you to West Fairview with plenty of daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause around the halfway mark, perhaps after completing the 103.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as stretches between services might be longer on the surface road portions, and the estimated $49 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting.
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 149.1 miles from Erie, PA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.3 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 66 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.1 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Fairview, 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 298.2 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 103.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 294 — 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.
7
208.9 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway toward US 322 East: Penn State University, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 73
Toward US 322 East: Penn State University, Stat...
8
293.9 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 11, US 15: Marysville, Enola
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 65
Toward US 11, US 15: Marysville, Enola
7
294 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Enola
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 South, US 15 South: Enola
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.02 one way
$100.05 round trip
$4.26/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.69
$55.11
$110.22
premium
$4.98
$58.50
$117.00
diesel
$5.06
$59.39
$118.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-15.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.5
1
$31.31
$14.31
Efficient EV
74.6
0
$26.09
$11.93
EV Truck/SUV
119.3
1
$41.75
$19.08
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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 Jun 15, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Evening
in Erie on Wednesday
Local time
6:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 10 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 14 at 9:54PM EDT until June 14 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 14 at 9:50PM EDT until June 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
West Fairview, PA
Evening
in West Fairview on Wednesday
Local time
6:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 6 to 10 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 14 at 9:54PM EDT until June 14 at 10:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 14 at 9:50PM EDT until June 15 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
6 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 54m 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.
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 298.2
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 287.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads for about two-thirds of the way, meaning you'll experience more local traffic and lower speeds. The Keystone Shortway accounts for the longest continuous stretch at 103.3 miles, offering a more open-road feel before transitioning. You’ll encounter the General Potter Highway and Raymond P Shafer Highway as well, contributing to the largely non-interstate profile.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 298.2 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,133 ft332 ft
Total Climb
2,071 ft
Total Descent
2,391 ft
Highest Point
2,133 ft
~191.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,801 ft
Notable High Points
2,133 ft at ~191.7 miles+902 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 West Fairview, PA, road signs point toward Shawville and State College.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 298.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 West Fairview, 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 21 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 208.9 miles (US 322 / Mount Nittany Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Fairview, PA before the return drive.
