This 327.1-mile drive from Manheim, PA, to Erie, PA, is estimated to take around 6 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a segment on US-322, this route offers a mixed driving experience. With 57% of the drive on highways, it’s manageable as a single-day trip, though you might appreciate a break. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $54. Since both your origin and destination are in the Northeast region, you’ll be traversing familiar territory throughout this Pennsylvania excursion.
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
163.5 miles from Manheim, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m 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
US 22
24.5 mi
32m
PA 283
19.4 mi
22m
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manheim, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 72; PA 772
131 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn slight left onto PA 772
0.1 mi·23 sec·Market Square
3
Turn slight right onto PA 772
0.9 mi·1 min·West High Street
4
Continue on PA 772
4.0 mi·7 min·Mount Joy Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
6
Merge onto PA 283
19 mi·22 min·PA 283
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
8
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi·2 min·I 283
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
11
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
12
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
13
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
14
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.
15
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
16
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
19
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
21
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
22
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
23
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
24
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
25
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
27
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
29
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
31
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 28-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Manheim to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. A good strategy would be to take a break around the halfway point, perhaps after covering the 102.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as planning your stops around the $54 estimated cost will be straightforward on this route. This drive is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach Erie without feeling overly rushed.
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 163.5 miles from Manheim, PA, or about 3h 28m 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 72 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.5 miles or 3h 28m 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 21m
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 Manheim, 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 Manheim, PA
This is one driving day of about 327.1 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Manheim, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.2 and 85.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
27.2 mi into trip|~35m 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
27.4 mi into trip|~36m 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
33.8 mi into trip|~45m 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
34.1 mi into trip|~45m 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...
6
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.23 one way
$108.46 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$59.39
$118.79
premium
$4.93
$63.44
$126.87
diesel
$5.61
$72.22
$144.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.1
1
$34.35
$15.70
Efficient EV
81.8
0
$28.62
$13.08
EV Truck/SUV
130.8
1
$45.79
$20.93
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Manheim, PA
Morning
in Manheim on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
1 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 28m 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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 45.1
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?
Expect a mixed drive on this journey, with a significant portion, 57%, on highways. You'll encounter a 102.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, offering a substantial period of uninterrupted travel. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving with potentially more varied road conditions as you navigate between major routes. As you progress, the character of the drive will likely shift, moving from more open highway segments to potentially more local or rolling terrain.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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 27.2 miles in near I 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 20 significant decision points across 327.1 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 27.2 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.8 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Manheim, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 28m. Total distance: 327.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.2 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.8 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 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.
