Erie to Wilson, PA is 364.2 miles and takes about 7h 3m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, making it a more scenic and less hurried experience than a pure highway drive. With only two recommended stops, you can manage your time effectively, but be prepared for a longer stretch of driving on the Keystone Shortway. Consider this trip if you prefer a less intense driving day with more opportunities to see the local landscape.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.1 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
236.3 mi
4h 14m
Raymond P Shafer Highway
66.8 mi
1h 11m
PA 248
20.2 mi
30m
Newburg Road
6.4 mi
10m
Hudson Drive
5.8 mi
8m
West Broad Street
3.8 mi
4m
State Route 93
3.7 mi
7m
Hunter Street
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 14m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,496
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Wilson, 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
236 mi·4 hr 14 min·Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
9
Keep slight right at fork
444 ft·11 sec
10
Turn straight onto PA 93
0.6 mi·57 sec·Berwick Hazleton Highway
11
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi·7 min·State Route 93
12
Continue on PA 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Valmont Parkway
13
Continue on PA 93
1.9 mi·2 min·Susquehanna Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·43 sec·North Broad Street
15
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
3.8 mi·4 min·West Broad Street
16
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Berwick Street
17
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi·34 sec·Broad Street
18
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi·8 min·Hudson Drive
19
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi·3 min·Hunter Street
20
Continue on PA 93
523 ft·13 sec·Hudson Drive
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 209
2.5 mi·3 min·East Catawissa Street
22
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi·24 sec·Lehigh Avenue
23
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·39 sec·Lehigh Street
24
Turn left onto US 209
0.3 mi·34 sec·Susquehanna Street
25
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi·2 min·Mauch Chunk Street
26
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
27
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·North First Street
28
Continue on US 209
0.2 mi·21 sec·Bankway Street
29
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi·1 min·East Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto PA 248
20 mi·30 min·PA 248
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on Newburg Road
6.4 mi·10 min·Newburg Road
32
Turn right onto PA 248
1.3 mi·2 min·Nazareth Road
33
Continue on 25th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·25th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Turn left onto Butler Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·Butler Street
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
Butler Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time and 364.2-mile distance, starting early in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you need to refuel, as the fuel cost is estimated at $60. The longest stretch without a major road change is 236.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so be sure to have snacks and entertainment ready for that segment. Since most of the route is on surface roads, factor in potential delays due to local traffic, especially if traveling during peak hours.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.1 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.1 miles or 3h 20m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilson, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 364.2 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 236.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 363.8 — 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
306.3 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
6
363.8 mi into trip|~7h 2m in|Butler Street
Turn left onto Butler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.09 one way
$128.19 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$70.09
$140.17
premium
$5.23
$74.93
$149.87
diesel
$6.18
$88.60
$177.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.3
1
$38.24
$17.48
Efficient EV
91.1
1
$31.87
$14.57
EV Truck/SUV
145.7
1
$50.99
$23.31
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Wilson, PA
Morning
in Wilson on Tuesday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
14 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
7h 3m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only about 7% on highways. You'll experience 236.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to PA-248. Expect a consistent pace with limited opportunities for high-speed cruising, as most of the route involves navigating through towns and varied terrain. The significant portion on surface roads means you'll likely encounter more traffic signals and lower speed limits.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 364.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,762 ft392 ft
Total Climb
3,071 ft
Total Descent
3,331 ft
Highest Point
1,762 ft
~156.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,370 ft
Notable High Points
1,565 ft at ~234.1 miles+836 ft prominence
1,539 ft at ~312.2 miles+929 ft prominence
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 Wilson, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Nescopeck along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 364.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 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 Wilson, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 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 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wilson, PA before the return drive.
