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Trip from Spry, PA to Erie, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 27m

Distance

325.1 mi

523 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 15m ★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 52m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 51m
8 PM
6h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Spry, PA, PA

Spry, PA

Haneul Trac

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 325.1-mile journey from Spry, PA, to Erie, PA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 27 minutes. You'll be spending about 41% of your time on highways, with the majority of your drive navigating the Keystone Shortway and I-79. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $54, making it a budget-friendly option for a single-day adventure. This route is entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a consistent feel throughout. Given the duration, it's definitely manageable as a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing 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

162.5 miles from Spry, 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
South Cameron Street 55 mi 1h 9m
I 83 26.7 mi 33m
US 22 24.5 mi 32m
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 Spry, PA and Erie, PA.

1

Start on East Church Street

22 ft · 2 sec · East Church Street
2

Turn right onto PA 74

0.9 mi · 2 min · South Queen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
4

Merge onto I 83

27 mi · 33 min · I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 43 Toward Capitol, 2nd Street Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn right onto Paxton Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Paxton Street
Use the left lane.
7

Turn left onto PA 230

55 mi · 1 hr 9 min · South Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
8

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
9

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck

18 mi · 21 min · Mount Nittany Expressway
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · 28th Division Highway
Exit 62 Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
12

Continue on US 322

10 mi · 14 min · Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 322

1.0 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
14

Turn right onto US 322; PA 53

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Centre Street
15

Continue on US 322; PA 53

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Front Street
16

Continue on US 322

7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway
17

Continue on US 322

2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway
18

Turn right onto PA 970

1.6 mi · 2 min · Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
20

Merge onto I 80

103 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway
21

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
22

Merge onto I 79

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 79
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
24

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour and 27-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Spry, PA, to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With 325.1 miles to cover, planning for one stop around the halfway point is advisable for fuel and a quick break. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but staying aware of I-79's traffic patterns closer to Erie can help you arrive smoothly.

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 162.5 miles from Spry, 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 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 162.5 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 20m

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 Spry, 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 Spry, PA

This is one driving day of about 325.1 miles and 6h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Spry, 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.

borough of Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clearfield, PA

163 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

Montgomery Village, MD

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mount Joy, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.5 miles from Spry, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 74 / South Queen Street

Turn right onto PA 74 / South Queen Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
27.9 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward Capitol, 2nd Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 43 Toward Capitol, 2nd Street
6
28.5 mi into trip | ~37m in | Paxton Street

Turn right onto Paxton Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
28.8 mi into trip | ~38m in | PA 230 / South Cameron Street

Turn left onto PA 230 / South Cameron Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
83.8 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

$53.90 one way

$107.79 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $59.03 $118.06
premium $4.93 $63.05 $126.10
diesel $5.61 $71.78 $143.56

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: 113.7 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 97.5 1 $34.14 $15.60
Efficient EV 81.3 0 $28.45 $13.00
EV Truck/SUV 130 1 $45.51 $20.81

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 18, 2026

Origin

Spry, PA

Late night in Spry on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Sunday

Local time

12:18 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Clearfield, PA

163 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

15 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 27m 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 mixed driving experience on this route, with 41% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which offers a more open road feel. The drive progresses through various road types, starting with local roads and transitioning into faster highway segments as you head north. The use of I-79 in the latter half provides a more direct and often faster pace, creating a dynamic shift in the driving character as you cover the distance.

41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 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?

8/10

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 early in the drive near PA 74 / South Queen Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 325.1 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: near the start (PA 74 / South Queen Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,948 ft 425 ft

Total Climb

1,768 ft

Total Descent

1,832 ft

Highest Point

1,948 ft

~162.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,523 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Spry, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Capitol and State College.

Capitol

27.9 mi in | ~36m

State College

83.8 mi in | ~1h 48m | via US 22; US 322

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 27m. Total distance: 325.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 27m 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: near the start (PA 74 / South Queen Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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