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Trip from Erie, PA to Collinsburg, PA

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Compiled 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

161.5 mi

260 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
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.

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Collinsburg, PA, PA

Collinsburg, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

This 161.5-mile drive from Erie, PA, to Collinsburg, PA, is best suited for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes to complete. You'll navigate using a combination of the Raymond P Shafer Highway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Greensburg Pike. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. The route covers a significant distance with one primary stop recommended. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, keeping the drive within familiar territory.

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

80.7 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway 104 mi 1h 51m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 39.2 mi 42m
Greensburg Pike 3.2 mi 4m
Arona Road 2.8 mi 4m
West Newton Road 2.7 mi 4m
PA 136 2.4 mi 3m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
Collinsburg Road 1 mi 2m
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 Collinsburg, 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 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use 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

39 mi · 42 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
11

Turn left onto Wendel Road

203 ft · 7 sec · Wendel Road
12

Turn right onto Arona Road

2.8 mi · 4 min · Arona Road
13

Turn right onto PA 136

2.4 mi · 3 min · PA 136
14

Turn right onto PA 136

2.7 mi · 4 min · West Newton Road
15

Continue on PA 136

3.2 mi · 4 min · Greensburg Pike
16

At end of road, turn right onto PA 136

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Mount Pleasant Road
17

Continue on PA 136

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
18

Turn right onto Collinsburg Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Collinsburg Road
19

Turn left onto German Street

317 ft · 8 sec · German Street
20

Arrive at destination

German Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 7-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and the single recommended stop. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Erie. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; paying attention to navigation will be key. The longest stretch on Raymond P Shafer Highway is substantial, so plan accordingly for any necessary breaks before or after that segment.

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 80.7 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 30m 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 36 miles or 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Collinsburg, 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 161.5 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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.

borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conway, PA

81 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

Cambridge Springs, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.7 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Raymond P Shafer Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 108.1 — 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.
6
2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in | Greengarden Boulevard

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.77 one way

$53.55 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $29.32 $58.65
premium $4.93 $31.32 $62.64
diesel $5.61 $35.66 $71.31

Estimated Tolls: $5.10

Pennsylvania Turnpike (39.2 mi) $5.10

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

$27

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.4 0 $16.96 $7.75
Efficient EV 40.4 0 $14.13 $6.46
EV Truck/SUV 64.6 0 $22.61 $10.34

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Tuesday

Local time

8:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Collinsburg, PA

Morning in Collinsburg on Tuesday

Local time

8:54 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Conway, PA

81 mi in

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

12 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

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 161.5-mile journey. While 26% of the route utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104 miles on the Raymond P Shafer Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to more varied road types. This route offers a mix of driving experiences, moving from more open highway sections to more winding local segments.

Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 161.5 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): 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.

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 Collinsburg, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.

Cranberry

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Pennsylvania Turnpike

106.7 mi in | ~1h 58m

Youngstown Ohio

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Harrisburg

107.3 mi in | ~1h 59m

Patp: Youngstown Ohio

108.1 mi in | ~2h 1m

About the Cities

Starting 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: 161.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m 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 $5.10 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.

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.

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 Collinsburg, 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): 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.

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 Collinsburg, 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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