Erie to Dale is 177.2 miles and takes about 3 hours 48 minutes via Raymond P Shafer Highway and US 422, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a fairly straightforward trip that should be manageable for a single day of driving. Expect a mixed driving experience, meaning you'll encounter both highway segments and potentially some more local roads. Given its manageable length, this route is a solid option for a day trip or the start of a longer journey.
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
88.6 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
84.1 mi
1h 30m
US 422
63.6 mi
1h 25m
PA 56
9 mi
13m
Cramer Pike
7.9 mi
13m
South 6th Street
3.3 mi
5m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Johns Street
1.7 mi
3m
Cooper Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Dale, 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
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 99Toward US 422: Butler, New CastleUse the right lane.
7
Turn right onto US 422
38 mi·51 min·US 422
8
Take the exit onto US 422
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 422
Toward US 422 East, US 422 Business West: Indiana
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
25 mi·33 min·US 422
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
193 ft·4 sec
12
Turn right onto PA 954
3.3 mi·5 min·South 6th Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56
8.9 mi·13 min·PA 56
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 56
0.1 mi·21 sec·PA 56
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 22 East: EbensburgUse the left lane.
16
Merge onto US 22
0.8 mi·1 min·William Penn Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
18
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi·13 min·Cramer Pike
19
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi·2 min·Cooper Avenue
20
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Iron Street
21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·4th Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broad Street
23
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
24
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
1.7 mi·3 min·Johns Street
25
Arrive at destination
PA 56
Trip Plan
For this 177.2-mile trip, leaving in the morning should give you ample time to reach your destination before evening. With a duration of under 4 hours, it's a good candidate for a single-day drive, but don't hesitate to take a break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into the 84.1-mile stretch on the Raymond P Shafer Highway, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is around $29, so factor that into your budget. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have flexibility, but a deliberate stop about halfway could break up the driving nicely.
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 88.6 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 39m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dale, 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 177.2 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 84.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 88.6 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 84.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 163.1 — 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
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 422: Butler, New Castle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 99
Toward US 422: Butler, New Castle
6
125.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 422
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
163.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Ebensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Ebensburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.38 one way
$58.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$32.18
$64.35
premium
$4.93
$34.37
$68.73
diesel
$5.61
$39.12
$78.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.2
0
$18.61
$8.51
Efficient EV
44.3
0
$15.50
$7.09
EV Truck/SUV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Dale, PA
Late night
in Dale on Tuesday
Local time
5:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
19 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 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed bag of road types, with 41% of it being highway. You'll experience an 84.1-mile stretch on the Raymond P Shafer Highway, which is the longest continuous section. As you progress, the character of the drive will shift, moving from faster highway conditions to potentially more varied local roads. This means you should be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns throughout your journey. The mix ensures it's not a monotonous interstate cruise but also not an overly challenging backroad adventure.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.1 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 177.2 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 86.8 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 Dale, PA, road signs point toward New Castle and Johnstown.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 177.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.1 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.
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 Dale, 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 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dale, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
