How far is Lancaster, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from Lancaster, PA to Erie, PA is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 48m 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 24m.
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 in northwestern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
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 Lancaster and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Erie.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right onto East King Street
1163 ft · 49 sec · East King Street
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3
Turn left onto North Lime Street
570 ft · 27 sec · North Lime Street
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4
Turn left onto East Orange Street
1226 ft · 27 sec · East Orange Street
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5
Turn right onto North Queen Street
1.6 km · 3 min · North Queen Street
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6
Turn left onto McGovern Avenue
122 m · 14 sec · McGovern Avenue
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7
Turn slight right
1343 ft · 36 sec
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8
Continue on Fruitville Pike
1 mi · 2 min · Fruitville Pike
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9
Take the ramp left toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
2596 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 33 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 283 North: Harrisburg
2776 ft · 48 sec
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12
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 83 North, US 322
1258 ft · 31 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
1402 ft · 34 sec
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15
Continue straight
3.7 mi · 5 min
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16
Continue on I 81 South, US 322 West: Carlisle, State College
2.4 mi · 3 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 22 East, PA 230 East, US 22 West, US 322 West: Harrisburg, Lewistown, State College
1437 ft · 27 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 22 West, US 322 West: Lewistown, State College
51.8 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 22 West, US 322 West: Mount Union, State College
24.5 mi · 32 min
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20
Continue on Boal Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · Boal Avenue
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21
Continue on Mount Nittany Expressway
17.5 mi · 21 min · Mount Nittany Expressway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on 28th Division Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · 28th Division Highway
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23
Continue on Port Matilda Highway
10.1 mi · 14 min · Port Matilda Highway
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24
Continue on Railroad Street
1 mi · 2 min · Railroad Street
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25
Turn right onto North Centre Street
783 ft · 10 sec · North Centre Street
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26
Continue on North Front Street
1650 ft · 26 sec · North Front Street
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27
Continue on Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Philipsburg Bigler Highway
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28
Continue on Woodland Bigler Highway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Woodland Bigler Highway
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29
Turn right onto Shawville Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Shawville Highway
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30
Take the exit left
1675 ft · 41 sec
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31
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi · 1 hr 50 min · Keystone Shortway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward I 79 North: Erie
1 km · 1 min
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33
Merge slight right
65.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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34
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
1388 ft · 50 sec
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35
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West 12th Street
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36
Turn left onto State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lancaster 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
103 mi · 01h 50m
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.
Sunny leaving Lancaster and Sunny near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Erie?
The road trip is about 334.5 miles (538.3 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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?
Mount Joy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 166.8 miles from Lancaster and 167.7 miles from Erie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 90.4 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 6:12 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.21 one way or $96.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 104.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lancaster and Sunny near Erie.
Stop Ideas Near Mount Joy
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 Mount Joy.
Tyrone
Altoona Transportation Center
Huntingdon
Lewistown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Erie. Straight-line distance: 244.14 mi (392.9 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 538 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $48.21 | $96.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $54.27 | $108.54 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $58.46 | $116.91 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $70.56 | $141.13 |
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.