South Temple, PA to Erie, PA is 346.5 miles and takes about 6h 34m via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With a highway share of 23%, you'll experience a good mix of faster travel and more local road cruising. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration fits comfortably within daylight hours, making it a straightforward trip.
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
173.2 miles from South Temple, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
204 mi
3h 39m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Locust Gap Highway
11.5 mi
13m
Pottsville Pike
11.4 mi
14m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
South Market Street
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Continental Boulevard
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204 mi, about 3h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,044 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,440
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 South Temple, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Georgia Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Georgia Road
2
Turn right onto Frush Valley Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Frush Valley Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Mount Laurel Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Mount Laurel Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Mount Laurel Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Mount Laurel Road
5
Turn right onto Kutztown Road
53 ft·1 sec·Kutztown Road
6
Turn left onto Leesport Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Leesport Avenue
7
Turn left onto Snyder Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Snyder Road
8
Turn right onto PA 61
1.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·19 sec·South 4th Street
14
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
17
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
18
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·20 sec·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
19
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mauch Chunk Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Centre Street
21
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi·4 min·West Market Street
22
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·East Sunbury Street
24
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
25
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
26
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi·43 sec·Locust Gap Highway
27
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi·13 min·Locust Gap Highway
28
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·South Market Street
29
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi·45 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
33
Merge onto I 80
204 mi·3 hr 39 min·Keystone Shortway
34
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
35
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
37
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
39
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 34m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. While the drive doesn't necessarily require an overnight stop, you can break it up by stopping when you feel ready, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $57 and it's always wise to refuel before hitting the longest stretch of 204 miles on the Keystone Shortway if you're starting with less than half a tank.
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 173.2 miles from South Temple, PA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204 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 76 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.2 miles or 3h 24m 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 26m
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 South Temple, 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 South Temple, PA
This is one driving day of about 346.5 miles and 6h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from South Temple, 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 204 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 346 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.6 mi into trip|~9m in|PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Turn right onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
30.9 mi into trip|~42m in|US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
343.4 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
346 mi into trip|~6h 33m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.51 one way
$121.03 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$66.26
$132.52
premium
$5.20
$70.88
$141.76
diesel
$6.28
$85.62
$171.23
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)$0.74
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
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104
1
$36.38
$16.63
Efficient EV
86.6
0
$30.32
$13.86
EV Truck/SUV
138.6
1
$48.51
$22.18
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
South Temple, PA
Late night
in South Temple on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
5:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
18 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 34m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 35.8
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 23% of this 346.5-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 204 miles, primarily on the Keystone Shortway. After that, expect to transition to mostly surface roads, indicated by the 'Mostly surface roads' profile. This means you'll likely notice more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you move through more populated or rural areas.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 204 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near PA 61 / Pottsville Pike.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 346.5 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 3.6 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.1 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 346.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 204 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (PA 61 / Pottsville Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 69.1 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
