Rheems, PA to Erie, PA is 318.6 miles and takes about 6h 17m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to the Northeast region of the same state. It's a solid, single-day trip that's mostly highway driving, making it efficient for reaching your destination. You'll want to plan for about 6 hours of actual driving time, plus any stops you decide to make along the way. Consider this a straightforward journey, ideal if you're looking to cover ground without too many detours.
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
159.3 miles from Rheems, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m 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
Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi
21m
PA 283
14.3 mi
16m
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 Rheems, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Lime Street
190 ft·10 sec·Lime Street
2
Turn right onto East Harrisburg Avenue
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Harrisburg Avenue
3
Turn left onto Cloverleaf Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Cloverleaf Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
5
Merge onto PA 283
14 mi·16 min·PA 283
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 283
1.9 mi·2 min·I 283
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 283
0.2 mi·30 sec·I 283
Exit 3B-CToward I 83 North, US 322
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 3BToward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
10
Continue on I 83
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83
11
Continue on US 322
2.4 mi·3 min·US 322
Exit 51AToward I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
12
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
13
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.
14
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
15
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
18
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
20
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
21
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
22
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
23
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
24
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
28
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
30
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 17m estimated duration, leaving Rheems in the morning is your best bet for a comfortable single-day drive. You have one recommended stop, so plan to break up the 102.7-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before you hit longer stretches, as services can be spread out. The $53 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a manageable drive, you have flexibility, but be aware that I-79 can experience traffic as you get closer to Erie.
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 159.3 miles from Rheems, PA, or about 3h 21m 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 70 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.3 miles or 3h 21m 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 11m
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 Rheems, 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 Rheems, PA
This is one driving day of about 318.6 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Rheems, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.7 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.7 mi into trip|~24m 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
18.9 mi into trip|~24m 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
25.3 mi into trip|~33m 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
25.6 mi into trip|~34m 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
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
$52.82 one way
$105.64 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$57.85
$115.70
premium
$4.93
$61.79
$123.58
diesel
$5.61
$70.34
$140.69
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: 111.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.6
1
$33.45
$15.29
Efficient EV
79.7
0
$27.88
$12.74
EV Truck/SUV
127.4
1
$44.60
$20.39
Gas CO2
111 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Rheems, PA
Afternoon
in Rheems on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Afternoon
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 to 12 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:38PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
71°F
Clearfield, PA
159 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
3 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
6h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive with 57% highway share, meaning you'll experience both faster-paced travel and potentially more local road sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so be prepared for a significant period of consistent driving on that segment. As you progress, expect the character of the road to change, moving from the initial corridor of the Keystone Shortway onto Interstate 79. This shift will likely bring different traffic patterns and scenery, transitioning from more open highway to a more urban approach as you near Erie.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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 18.7 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 22 significant decision points across 318.6 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 18.7 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 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 Rheems, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward State College and Lewistown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 318.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 18.7 miles (I 283): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.3 miles (US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
