This 324.2-mile drive from Waterford to Erie, Pennsylvania, is a substantial journey that can be comfortably completed in about 6 hours and 26 minutes. While it's technically feasible as a single-day trip, consider that it covers a significant distance within the Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, it's a budget-friendly option for a longer excursion. The route utilizes a mix of major roads, including the Keystone Shortway and I-79, offering a varied driving experience. This trip is best suited for those who enjoy longer drives and don't mind spending a good portion of their day on the road, making it a solid choice for a dedicated travel day.
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
162.1 miles from Waterford, 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
24.6 mi
30m
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 Waterford, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Old Dutch Lane
0.3 mi·52 sec·Old Dutch Lane
2
Turn left onto PA 24
0.6 mi·1 min·Cape Horn Road
3
Turn left onto PA 124
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Prospect Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 124
0.9 mi·1 min·Mount Rose Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
6
Merge onto I 83
25 mi·30 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 43Toward Capitol, 2nd StreetUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto Paxton Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·Paxton Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto PA 230
55 mi·1 hr 9 min·South Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
10
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
11
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi·4 min·Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi·21 min·Mount Nittany Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322
1.0 mi·1 min·28th Division Highway
Exit 62Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
14
Continue on US 322
10 mi·14 min·Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 322
1.0 mi·2 min·Railroad Street
16
Turn right onto US 322; PA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Centre Street
17
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
18
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
19
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
20
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
22
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
24
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
26
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 26-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, plan your breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the $54 fuel estimate. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer highway segments to avoid any unexpected delays. The flexibility of a single-day trip of this length means you can adjust your pace as needed, but being prepared with a planned stop is key.
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 162.1 miles from Waterford, 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 71 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.1 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 19m
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 Waterford, 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 Waterford, PA
This is one driving day of about 324.2 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Waterford, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 27 and 127.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
27 mi into trip|~35m 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
27.6 mi into trip|~36m in|Paxton Street
Turn right onto Paxton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
27.9 mi into trip|~37m in|PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Turn left onto PA 230 / South Cameron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
83 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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...
6
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 322 / 28th Division Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / 28th Division Highway toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 62
Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.75 one way
$107.50 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$58.87
$117.73
premium
$4.93
$62.87
$125.75
diesel
$5.61
$71.58
$143.16
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: 113.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.3
1
$34.04
$15.56
Efficient EV
81.1
0
$28.37
$12.97
EV Truck/SUV
129.7
1
$45.39
$20.75
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Waterford, PA
Morning
in Waterford on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
10:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Clearfield, PA
162 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
16 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 26m 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.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 22.4
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 33.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 41% of your journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 102.7 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing a substantial period of consistent travel. You'll transition between the efficiency of interstates like I-79 and potentially more local segments on roads like South Cameron Street. This blend means you'll experience periods of faster travel interspersed with changes in speed and road conditions as you navigate through Pennsylvania. The character of the drive will evolve, offering a dynamic experience for the driver.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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 around 27 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 324.2 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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (PA 230 / South Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waterford, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Capitol and State College.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 324.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles (Paxton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (PA 230 / South Cameron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
