How far is Erie, PA from Sterling, PA?
The driving distance from Erie, PA to Sterling, PA is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.3 miles (204.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 16m 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 03h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Sleet then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Erie and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie and Sterling.
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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
66.8 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Clarion
2084 ft · 59 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
100 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Keystone Shortway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
2279 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn right onto Clearfield Shawville Highway
3 mi · 5 min · Clearfield Shawville Highway
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10
Turn left
1283 ft · 38 sec
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11
Turn right onto Ogden Avenue
2582 ft · 52 sec · Ogden Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Krebs Highway
4.1 mi · 7 min · Krebs Highway
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13
Continue on Crooked Sewer Road
8 mi · 11 min · Crooked Sewer Road
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14
Turn left onto Henderson Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Henderson Street
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15
Continue on Swoop Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Swoop Street
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16
Continue on Sterling Avenue
2020 ft · 1 min · Sterling Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sterling Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie and Sterling.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Keystone Shortway
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
100 mi · 01h 47m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Erie and Chance Sleet then Partly Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Erie to Sterling?
The road trip is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km) and usually takes 03h 38m 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?
Emlenton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.6 miles from Erie and 94.8 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.3 miles (204.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 62 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 9:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.29 one way or $54.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Erie and Chance Sleet then Partly Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Emlenton
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 Emlenton.
Union Station
Greensburg
Latrobe station
Jamestown, New York
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 127.26 mi (204.8 km).
#1 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
Township in Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,420 |
| Coordinates | 40.8303400, -78.3419600 |
| Altitude | 466 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-78.34196, 40.83034)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 305 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $27.29 | $54.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $30.72 | $61.44 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $33.09 | $66.19 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $39.95 | $79.89 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.