Origin
Buffalo, PA
Late night in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
155.8 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 56m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, PA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buffalo, PA to Erie, PA is 155.8 miles and takes about 3h 7m via Raymond P Shafer Highway, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, expect a more local feel rather than a high-speed interstate journey. It's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable in a single day, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a connecting drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.9 miles from Buffalo, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 145 mi | 2h 46m |
| Washington Pike | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Jefferson Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 145 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 844
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Washington Pike
2
Continue on PA 844
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Jefferson Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
4
Merge onto I 70
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 18
Toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
7
Continue on I 79
145 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
9
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
For this 155.8-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to take advantage of daylight, especially since the drive is only about 3 hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, ensure your tank is full before departing Buffalo, PA, as the longest stretch without significant breaks is 145 miles. While only one stop is noted, this short drive allows for flexibility; you can easily pause for a quick break or meal as needed. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route and be ready to adjust your speed accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.9 miles from Buffalo, PA, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145 miles.
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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.9 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, PA
This is one driving day of about 155.8 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Buffalo, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Raymond P Shafer Highway for about 145 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Buffalo, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Raymond P Shafer Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 155.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
6.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East: New Stanton
Navigation decision point
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
7
7.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18
Toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
6
152.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
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
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
5
153 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
155.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.83 one way
$51.66 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.29 | $56.58 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.22 | $60.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.36 | $7.48 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.63 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.81 | $9.97 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
4:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Widespread Fog then Partly Sunny
N 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 7m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share. You'll primarily navigate using local roads like Raymond P Shafer Highway, Washington Pike, and West 12th Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 145 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway, suggesting a significant portion of the journey follows this main artery. Be prepared for frequent turns and a pace that's more aligned with local traffic patterns rather than open highway cruising.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Buffalo, PA to Erie, PA is easy. At 3h 7m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Buffalo, PA
Full guide →The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.
Arriving in Erie, PA
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 155.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Erie, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
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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