How far is South Union, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from South Union, PA to Erie, PA is about 239.8 miles (385.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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 54m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Union and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Union and Erie.
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1
Start on South Union Road
25 m · 6 sec · South Union Road
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2
Turn right onto Beck Road
1.5 km · 4 min · Beck Road
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3
Turn right onto Salt Spring Road
1.5 mi · 6 min · Salt Spring Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
3.8 mi · 7 min
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5
Turn slight right onto Old Mill Road
1985 ft · 1 min · Old Mill Road
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6
Turn slight right onto Old Route 15
1.4 mi · 2 min · Old Route 15
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7
Take the ramp right
2502 ft · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Appalachian Thruway
43.7 mi · 48 min · Appalachian Thruway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 86 West, NY 17 West: Jamestown, Rochester
1.4 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway
22.7 mi · 26 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Southern Tier Expressway
60.6 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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12
Turn left onto State Highway 16
5.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 16
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13
Continue on North Union Street
1829 ft · 35 sec · North Union Street
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14
Take the ramp right
967 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight left
3230 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway
78.9 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Southern Tier Expressway
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17
Continue on Hopkins-Bowser Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Hopkins-Bowser Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-90: Erie
1.2 mi · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto AMVETS Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 4 min · AMVETS Memorial Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward PA 290, PA 430: Wesleyville, Bayfront Connector
1507 ft · 54 sec
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21
Turn right onto Station Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Station Road
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22
Continue on Bayfront Connector
4.4 mi · 8 min · Bayfront Connector
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23
Continue on East Bayfront Parkway
836 ft · 26 sec · East Bayfront Parkway
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24
Turn left onto East 10th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · East 10th Street
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25
Turn right onto State Street
1499 ft · 59 sec · State Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Union and Erie.
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
Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway
78.9 mi · 01h 32m
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 South Union and Sunny near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Union to Erie?
The road trip is about 239.8 miles (385.9 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Shinglehouse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.2 miles from South Union and 119.6 miles from Erie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.5 miles (263.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.3 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 9:10 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.57 one way or $69.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Union and Sunny near Erie.
Stop Ideas Near Shinglehouse
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 Shinglehouse.
Jamestown, New York
Fredonia, New York
Dunkirk, New York
Buffalo–Depew station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Union and Erie. Straight-line distance: 163.5 mi (263.12 km).
#1 South Union
Township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 10,106 |
| Coordinates | 41.5681300, -76.9988600 |
| Altitude | 552 |
| 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: 386 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $34.57 | $69.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $38.91 | $77.82 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $41.91 | $83.82 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $50.59 | $101.18 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.