Erie to Blawnox is 132.5 miles and takes about 2h 33m via Raymond P Shafer Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. Expect a route with a fair number of turns, so keep your navigation handy. It's a manageable drive that's well-suited for a single day, making it an easy option if you're looking for a straightforward journey without needing an overnight stay.
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
66.3 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
104 mi
1h 51m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
19 mi
20m
Freeport Road
4 mi
7m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Maple Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 104 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Blawnox, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.0 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi·23 sec·Greengarden Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Bayfront Parkway
5
Continue on I 79
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 78-77Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 77Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
19 mi·20 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward New Kensington, Pittsburgh
13
Continue on Freeport Road
4.0 mi·7 min·Freeport Road
14
Turn left onto Maple Avenue
149 ft·10 sec·Maple Avenue
15
Turn right onto Pine Street
83 ft·3 sec·Pine Street
16
Arrive at destination
Pine Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 33m duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, it's best to start your trip with plenty of daylight. Aim to depart in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Blawnox. While the total distance isn't excessive, the numerous turns mean you'll want to stay alert and keep your navigation system active. A single stop should be sufficient for this 132.5-mile journey, but plan for it to be a bit longer to account for navigation adjustments. The estimated fuel cost is $22, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.3 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.3 miles or 1h 14m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blawnox, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Erie, 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 Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 132.5 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Erie, 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 104 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m 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 lane.
8
106.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78-77
Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
107.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
9
108.1 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 77
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
7
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.97 one way
$43.93 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$24.06
$48.12
premium
$4.93
$25.70
$51.39
diesel
$5.61
$29.25
$58.51
Estimated Tolls: $2.47
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(19 mi)$2.47
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.91
$6.36
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.59
$5.30
EV Truck/SUV
53
0
$18.55
$8.48
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blawnox, PA
Late night
in Blawnox on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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
15 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
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy local drive,' which means you'll be navigating through towns and potentially dealing with more frequent turns than a pure interstate route. With only 14% of the drive on highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 104 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to your surroundings as you make your way through different communities.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 132.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Erie, PA and Blawnox, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 132.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.47 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Blawnox, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Blawnox, PA before heading back.
