How far is Center City, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from Center City, PA to Erie, PA is about 401.7 miles (646.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.5 miles (478.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 42m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Center City and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center City and Erie.
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1
Start on Ludlow Street
67 m · 15 sec · Ludlow Street
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2
Turn left onto South 11th Street
2346 ft · 1 min · South 11th Street
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3
Turn left onto Vine Street
2279 ft · 53 sec · Vine Street
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4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
121 m · 8 sec · North 16th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
1091 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Vine Street Expressway
1 mi · 2 min · Vine Street Expressway
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7
Merge slight right onto Schuylkill Expressway
12.1 mi · 17 min · Schuylkill Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
3232 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Mid-County Expressway
3.4 mi · 5 min · Mid-County Expressway
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10
Continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono
1.1 km · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
879 ft · 24 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Hazleton
1650 ft · 40 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
256.6 mi · 4 hr 38 min · Keystone Shortway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 79 North: Erie
1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight right
65.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
1388 ft · 50 sec
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18
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West 12th Street
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19
Turn left onto State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Center City and Erie.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Keystone Shortway
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
257 mi · 04h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Center City and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Center City to Erie?
The road trip is about 401.7 miles (646.5 km) and usually takes 06h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Curtin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 210.1 miles from Center City and 191.6 miles from Erie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.5 miles (478.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 104.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.94 one way or $115.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 126 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Center City and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Erie.
Stop Ideas Near Curtin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Curtin.
Lewistown
Tyrone
Huntingdon
Altoona Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Center City and Erie. Straight-line distance: 297.49 mi (478.76 km).
#1 Center City
Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA
| Population | 57,239 |
| Coordinates | 39.9512000, -75.1592300 |
| Altitude | - |
| Country | United States |
#2 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
End: State Street (-80.085094, 42.129207)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 647 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $57.94 | $115.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $65.21 | $130.43 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $70.25 | $140.50 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $84.80 | $169.59 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.