Valenza Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18147241222
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
114.7 mi
185 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bradford Woods, PA
Keith Lowery
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Bradford Woods to Erie is 114.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m via I 79, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It’s a straightforward drive, largely on the interstate, making it an easy option if you're looking for a quick and efficient journey. You'll spend most of your time on I-79, so don't expect a lot of winding country roads or charming small towns right off the highway. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, especially if you want to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Bradford Woods, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 109.1 mi | 1h 57m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Wexford Run Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Wexford Bayne Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Bradford Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bradford Woods, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on Bradford Road
Turn left onto Wexford Run Road
Turn right onto PA 910; Orange Belt
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 10m duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Aiming to leave in the morning will allow you to arrive in Erie with plenty of daylight. Since the longest stretch is 109.1 miles on I-79, plan for a single fuel stop if needed, likely before you merge onto the interstate or as you approach Erie. There are no designated stops mentioned, so consider pulling off at a rest area on I-79 if you need a break. Keep an eye out for the transition from Wexford Run Road onto I-79 as your primary entry point onto the highway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bradford Woods, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bradford Woods, PA
This is one driving day of about 114.7 miles and 2h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 57.3 miles from Bradford Woods, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18147241222
The Factory Restaurant
Saegertown, Pennsylvania
Around the midpoint, short detour
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+18147241222
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Saegertown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm
+18147633517
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Hadley, Pennsylvania
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17242532208
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5 am–3 pm
+17247945005
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Erie, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+18144347376
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 114.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 79: Erie
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$19.02 one way
$38.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $20.83 | $41.65 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.24 | $44.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.32 | $50.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.51 |
| Efficient EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.06 | $7.34 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Bradford Woods on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Erie on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Fog
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience 109.1 miles of uninterrupted travel on I-79, offering a consistent pace for the majority of your journey. While Wexford Run Road and West 12th Street will guide you at the beginning and end, the bulk of this trip is about efficient interstate travel. Expect a smooth, predictable driving experience with minimal distractions, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The profile suggests a clear path with few deviations from high-speed travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and West 12th Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bradford Woods, PA to Erie, PA is easy. At 2h 10m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 114.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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