Matt_Gibson/iStockphoto.com
356.6 miles:
8 hours,
24 minutes
Much of this route traverses rural areas. In many places, trees are the main scenery for stretches at a time, so fall is an excellent time to take this trip when the trees will be colorful and add pizzazz to the scenic value. Outside of Erie, two-lane roads, forests and fields dominate the route. Watch for deer, and only pass in designated areas.
flickr/kezee
1
Erie to Coudersport
150.7 miles:
3 hours,
33 minutes
Start at Erie’s scenic lakefront and enjoy the outdoor sites. Erie will have heavier traffic than the majority of towns along the route. Once you leave the city, the surroundings quickly become fairly rural: two-lane roads and heavily forested areas. A big chunk of time will be spent in Allegheny National Forest. Stop at Rimrock Overlook on SR 59 to view Kinzua Bay.
Shaiith/iStockphoto.com
2
Coudersport to St. Marys
47.4 miles:
1 hours,
9 minutes
In the small town of Coudersport, a collection of brick buildings are the highlight of the downtown area. On this leg, many of your views from the two-lane roads will feature densely forested mountainous areas high up in the distance.
AAA Photo
3
St. Marys to Erie
158.4 miles:
3 hours,
42 minutes
On the return trip to Erie you’ll pass through a more southern portion of the Allegheny National Forest. The Allegheny River parallels a portion of US 62, adding some water to the tree-dominated views of the trip. The drive ends with a stretch of interstate leading you back into Erie.
