Harrisburg to Erie is 295.3 miles and takes about 5h 47m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, 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. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a manageable one-day drive. With only one recommended stop, you can tailor the pace to your liking, whether you want to get there quickly or take your time enjoying the scenery.
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
147.6 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
North Cameron Street
53.1 mi
1h 5m
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
Woodland Bigler Highway
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 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 Harrisburg, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
89 ft·3 sec·North 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
81 ft·2 sec·North 7th Street
3
Continue on North 7th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 7th Street
4
Turn right onto Maclay Street
0.4 mi·54 sec·Maclay Street
5
Turn left onto US 22
53 mi·1 hr 5 min·North Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
6
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
7
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
10
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
12
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
13
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
14
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
15
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
16
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
18
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
20
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
22
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 47m drive, aim to depart from Harrisburg in the morning to make the most of daylight. While it's a single-day trip, consider breaking it up with your one recommended stop to stretch your legs. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 100 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so make sure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from highway to surface roads, as services can become less frequent.
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 147.6 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 3h 4m 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 65 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.6 miles or 3h 4m 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 46m
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 Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Harrisburg, 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 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 294.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
54 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 22; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto US 22; US 322 toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, St...
6
98.7 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|US 322 / 28th Division Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / 28th Division Highway toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
6
292.3 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
6
294.8 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.09 one way
$94.17 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$52.11
$104.22
premium
$4.81
$55.90
$111.80
diesel
$4.80
$55.76
$111.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.01
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.34
$18.90
Gas CO2
103 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Afternoon
in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
SE 3 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
SE 1 to 12 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
83°F
Clearfield, PA
148 mi in
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
2 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 47m 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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag of highway and surface roads, with highway driving making up 37% of the total distance. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway at 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, expect to transition to surface roads, particularly as you approach and navigate through areas like North Cameron Street. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds once you leave the main interstates.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
8/10
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 early in the drive near North 7th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 295.3 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: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54 miles (US 22; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.7 miles (US 322 / 28th Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,112 ft332 ft
Total Climb
2,321 ft
Total Descent
2,001 ft
Highest Point
2,112 ft
~105.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,780 ft
Notable High Points
2,112 ft at ~105.5 miles+798 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 Harrisburg, PA to Erie, PA, road signs begin pointing toward State College along the way.
Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
Top landmarks
•Pennsylvania State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
•Cathedral of Saint Patrick — cathedral of the Catholic Church in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United St...
•Harrisburg Transportation Center — intermodal station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54 miles (US 22; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.7 miles (US 322 / 28th Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 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.
