Origin
Olyphant, PA
Morning in Olyphant on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Olyphant, 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
6h 25m
Distance
319.2 mi
514 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 13m
★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olyphant, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 319.2-mile journey from Olyphant, PA, to Erie, PA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 25 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Southern Tier Expressway, I-86, and I-81, this drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of the route on these main roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $53. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive through the Northeast region, making it an ideal day trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
159.6 miles from Olyphant, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 139.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| I 86 | 100 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 81 | 48.1 mi | 56m |
| Hopkins-Bowser Highway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 16 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| Scott Road | 4.6 mi | 8m |
| Bayfront Connector | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| AMVETS Memorial Highway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 139.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olyphant, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on West Lackawanna Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lackawanna Avenue
2
Continue on PA 347
398 ft
·
11 sec
·
Dundaff Street
3
Continue on PA 347
351 ft
·
7 sec
·
Dundaff Street
4
Continue on PA 347
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Scott Road
5
Turn left onto PA 347
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Scott Road
6
Turn left onto PA 632
200 ft
·
4 sec
·
Commerce Drive
7
Continue on PA 632
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Carbondale Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
9
Merge onto I 81
48 mi
·
56 min
·
I 81
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
100 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
12
Turn left onto State Highway 16
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 16
13
Continue on NY 16
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Union Street
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
16
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
79 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
17
Continue on I 86
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Hopkins-Bowser Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-90: Erie
19
Merge onto I 90
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
AMVETS Memorial Highway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
21
Turn right onto PA 290; PA 430
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Station Road
22
Continue on PA 290
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Bayfront Connector
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Bayfront Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto East 10th Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 10th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto State Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
State Street
26
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 25-minute drive, consider an early morning start to avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along the 139.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway to break up the highway driving. The $53 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, and it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Olyphant. This route's highway-heavy nature means you can maintain a consistent speed, but always be mindful of changing road conditions and posted limits.
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 159.6 miles from Olyphant, PA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.5 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 70 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.6 miles or 3h 10m 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 12m
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 Olyphant, 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 Olyphant, PA
This is one driving day of about 319.2 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Olyphant, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 139.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.6 miles from Olyphant, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.5 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 312 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
I 86; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17 toward I 86: Corning
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 86: Corning
6
154.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
|
I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 86 West, NY 17 West: Erie
5
307.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-90: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-90: Erie
6
312 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
Take the exit toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 32
Toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Co...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.92 one way
$105.84 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $57.96 | $115.92 |
| premium | $4.93 | $61.90 | $123.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.48 | $140.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.7 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 | 95.8 | 1 | $33.52 | $15.32 |
| Efficient EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.93 | $12.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.7 | 1 | $44.69 | $20.43 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 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
3 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 25m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience on this route, accounting for 92% of your mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 139.5 miles, primarily on the Southern Tier Expressway. This highway-focused drive means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The nature of the route suggests a consistent pace for most of the journey, allowing for steady progress toward your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 86. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 319.2 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 5.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 54.2 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.2 miles (I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
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 6h 25m. Total distance: 319.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 5.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 54.2 miles (I 86; NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 154.2 miles (I 86; NY 17 / Southern Tier Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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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