How far is Erie, PA from Great Bend, PA?
The driving distance from Erie, PA to Great Bend, PA is about 279.6 miles (450 km), with a travel time of about 05h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223 miles (358.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Erie and Great Bend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie and Great Bend.
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1
Start on State Street
703 ft · 35 sec · State Street
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2
Turn left onto East 8th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East 8th Street
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3
Turn right onto East Bayfront Parkway
1664 ft · 45 sec · East Bayfront Parkway
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4
Continue on Bayfront Connector
4.4 mi · 8 min · Bayfront Connector
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5
Continue on Station Road
1 mi · 2 min · Station Road
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6
Take the exit slight right
1313 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto AMVETS Memorial Highway
4.1 mi · 5 min · AMVETS Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 86 East: Jamestown
2858 ft · 37 sec
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9
Continue on Hopkins-Bowser Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Hopkins-Bowser Highway
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10
Continue on Southern Tier Expressway
249.5 mi · 4 hr 51 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Scranton
10.8 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward PA 171: Great Bend, Susquehanna
836 ft · 26 sec
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13
Turn right onto State Route 171
58 m · 7 sec · State Route 171
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14
Turn right
1923 ft · 49 sec
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15
Turn right onto Williams Street
23 m · 3 sec · Williams Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Williams Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie and Great Bend.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Southern Tier Expressway
Continue on Southern Tier Expressway
249 mi · 04h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Erie and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Great Bend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Erie to Great Bend?
The road trip is about 279.6 miles (450 km) and usually takes 05h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Genesee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.6 miles from Erie and 140 miles from Great Bend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223 miles (358.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.6 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.33 one way or $80.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Erie and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Great Bend.
Stop Ideas Near Genesee
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 Genesee.
Jamestown, New York
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Great Bend. Straight-line distance: 223 mi (358.89 km).
#1 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Great Bend
Township in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 663 |
| Coordinates | 41.9717400, -75.7432400 |
| Altitude | 272 |
| Country | United States |
End: Great Bend (-75.74324, 41.97174)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 450 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $40.33 | $80.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $45.39 | $90.78 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $48.90 | $97.79 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $59.02 | $118.05 |
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 · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.