Origin
Mifflinburg, PA
Morning in Mifflinburg on Tuesday
Local time
9:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mifflinburg, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
256.5 mi
413 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mifflinburg, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 256.5-mile drive from Mifflinburg, PA, to Erie, PA, will take you approximately 5 hours and 3 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $43. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and I-79, offering a mixed driving experience. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania for the entirety of this journey. With only one recommended stop, this trip is designed for efficiency, making it a solid choice for a single-day adventure.
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
128.3 miles from Mifflinburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 140.6 mi | 2h 30m |
| I 79 | 65.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| Penns Valley Road | 15.3 mi | 22m |
| Old Turnpike Road | 10.8 mi | 16m |
| PA 26 | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| South Pennsylvania Avenue | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| Penns Valley Pike | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 140.6 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mifflinburg, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 45
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
2
Continue on PA 45
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Old Turnpike Road
3
Continue on PA 45
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
4
Continue on PA 45
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Old Turnpike Road
5
Continue on PA 45
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Penns Valley Road
6
Continue on PA 45
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Mountain Avenue
7
Continue on PA 45
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Penns Valley Road
8
Continue on PA 45
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Aaron Square
9
Continue on PA 45
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
10
Continue on PA 45
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Penns Valley Road
11
Continue on PA 45
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Penns Valley Pike
12
Turn right onto PA 144
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Pennsylvania Avenue
13
Continue on PA 144
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto TR 941
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Harrison Road
15
Turn right onto PA 26
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East College Avenue
16
Turn left onto PA 26
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 26
Use the left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 26
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
PA 26
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 80 West: DuBois
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 80; US 220 Alternate
141 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
Keystone Shortway
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
21
Merge onto I 79
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 79
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
23
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Mifflinburg to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or near the transition from the Keystone Shortway to I-79. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 140.6-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be less frequent. The $43 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a small buffer.
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 128.3 miles from Mifflinburg, PA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 56 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 40m 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 9m
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 Mifflinburg, 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 Mifflinburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 256.5 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Mifflinburg, 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 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.3 miles from Mifflinburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 40.9 and 256.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
40.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
PA 26
Turn left onto PA 26
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
46.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: DuBois
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 80 West: DuBois
6
253.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 55m 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
5
253.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m 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 / right lanes.
6
256.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.52 one way
$85.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $46.57 | $93.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $49.74 | $99.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.63 | $113.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.75
Old Turnpike Road
(10.8 mi)
$0.75
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77 | 0 | $26.93 | $12.31 |
| Efficient EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.6 | 1 | $35.91 | $16.42 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
9:52 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
5h 3m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 32% of it being highway driving. The majority of your time will be spent on the Keystone Shortway, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.6 miles. As you transition to I-79, the pace may change, offering a different feel for the latter part of your journey. This blend of highway and other roads means you'll experience varied driving conditions, keeping things interesting over the 5-hour duration.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 40.9 miles in near PA 26.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 256.5 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 40.9 miles (PA 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Mifflinburg, PA
Full guide →Founded 1792
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
- • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
- • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 256.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.75 in tolls one way, starting with Old Turnpike Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 40.9 miles (PA 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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