This 355.9-mile journey from Fairmount, PA to Erie, PA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily be on the Keystone Shortway, I-79, and US-322, with over half of the drive on highways. With a projected fuel cost of $59 and two recommended stops, this route offers a mixed driving experience across Pennsylvania. It’s a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these two Northeast region locations.
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
178 miles from Fairmount, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
US 322
54.4 mi
1h 7m
PA 283
28.6 mi
33m
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi
14m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,034 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,382
Quietest
2 AM
~182 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 78 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 Fairmount, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Fairmount Road
49 ft·2 sec·Fairmount Road
2
Turn right onto Little Britain Road North
1.8 mi·3 min·Little Britain Road North
3
Turn straight onto US 222
4.2 mi·6 min·Robert Fulton Highway
4
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Church Street
5
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·West 4th Street
6
Continue on US 222
6.9 mi·9 min·Beaver Valley Pike
7
Turn right onto Penn Grant Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Penn Grant Road
8
Continue on Lampeter Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Lampeter Road
9
Continue on Pitney Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Pitney Road
10
Turn right onto Hempstead Road
0.4 mi·52 sec·Hempstead Road
11
Turn right onto Greenfield Road
396 ft·7 sec·Greenfield Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 30 West
13
Merge onto US 30
3.4 mi·4 min·US 30
14
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283
29 mi·33 min·PA 283
Toward PA 283 West: HarrisburgUse the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
16
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi·2 min·I 283
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
19
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
20
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
21
Take the exit onto US 322
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 322
Exit 67A; 67BToward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
52 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 322
Exit 67BToward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State CollegeUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322
24 mi·32 min·US 22; US 322
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
24
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
27
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
29
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
30
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
31
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
32
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
33
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
35
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
36
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
37
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
39
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Fairmount to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two stops suggested, plan to break up the longest stretch of 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway to refuel or stretch your legs. The $59 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches. Given the manageable duration, flexibility is key; you can adjust your stop timing based on how you feel during the drive.
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 178 miles from Fairmount, PA, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 78 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairmount, 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 Fairmount, PA
This is one driving day of about 355.9 miles and 7h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Fairmount, 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 102.7 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 25 and 62.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25 mi into trip|~39m in|PA 283
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 283 toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
7
56 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 283
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283 toward I 83 North, US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B-C
Toward I 83 North, US 322
8
56.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3B
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
62.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 322
Take the exit onto US 322 toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 67A; 67B
Toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US...
9
62.9 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 67B
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, Stat...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.16 one way
$124.31 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$68.06
$136.11
premium
$5.20
$72.81
$145.61
diesel
$6.28
$87.94
$175.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.8
1
$37.37
$17.08
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.14
$14.24
EV Truck/SUV
142.4
1
$49.83
$22.78
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Fairmount, PA
Evening
in Fairmount on Saturday
Local time
7:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 3 to 8 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
Erie, PA
Evening
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
7:59 PM
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
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
7h 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.
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 73.6
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 49.1
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 56% of it being highway. The Keystone Shortway will present the longest uninterrupted stretch at 102.7 miles, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to I-79 and US-322, the road character will evolve, likely incorporating more varied terrain and potentially different speed limits. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and potentially more engaging stretches of road as you progress towards Erie.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near PA 283.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 355.9 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 25 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,741 ft336 ft
Total Climb
1,502 ft
Total Descent
1,370 ft
Highest Point
1,741 ft
~178 mi in
Elevation Range
1,405 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairmount, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 9m. Total distance: 355.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Erie, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25 miles (PA 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and First State National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Erie, PA before the return drive.
