How far is Erie, PA from Center, PA?
The driving distance from Erie, PA to Center, PA is about 136.9 miles (220.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Erie and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie and Center.
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1
Start on State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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2
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
583 ft · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
862 ft · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway
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5
Continue on Raymond P Shafer Highway
104 mi · 1 hr 52 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
2944 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
2328 ft · 57 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East: Harrisburg
1861 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
19 mi · 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
1827 ft · 44 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on New Kensington, Pittsburgh
1255 ft · 31 sec
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13
Continue on Freeport Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Freeport Road
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14
Turn left onto Hulton Bridge
1749 ft · 43 sec · Hulton Bridge
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15
Continue on Hulton Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Hulton Road
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16
Continue on Hulton Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Hulton Road
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17
Continue on Hulton Road
1957 ft · 33 sec · Hulton Road
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18
Turn straight onto Milltown Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Milltown Road
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19
Continue on Leechburg Road
1675 ft · 49 sec · Leechburg Road
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20
Turn right onto Unity Trestle Road
1.8 mi · 4 min · Unity Trestle Road
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21
Turn sharp right onto Saltsburg Road
2 m · 1 sec · Saltsburg Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Saltsburg Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie and Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Continue on Raymond P Shafer Highway
104 mi · 01h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Erie and Sunny near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Erie to Center?
The road trip is about 136.9 miles (220.3 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mercer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.5 miles from Erie and 68.4 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.74 one way or $39.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Erie and Sunny near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Mercer
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 Mercer.
Alliance
Union Station
Union Station
Greensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Center. Straight-line distance: 115.36 mi (185.66 km).
#1 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Center
Human settlement in Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 2,438 |
| Coordinates | 40.4775700, -79.7589400 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-79.75894, 40.47757)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 220 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $19.74 | $39.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $22.21 | $44.43 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $23.93 | $47.86 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $28.88 | $57.77 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.