Origin
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Ferndale, 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 52m
Distance
178.8 mi
288 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Ferndale, PA
Kai
Trip Overview
This 178.8-mile journey from Erie to Ferndale, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate US 422 and PA 56, with a notable section on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this drive offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for a single day's adventure. Both your origin and destination are within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, keeping the scenery and road types relatively consistent throughout your travel. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient drive without needing to break it up with 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
89.4 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m 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 |
| Cooper Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Iron Street | 0.9 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 Ferndale, 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 99
Toward US 422: Butler, New Castle
Use 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: Ebensburg
Use 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
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Johns Street
25
Turn left onto PA 403
36 ft
·
3 sec
·
Napoleon Street
26
Continue on PA 403
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Napoleon Street
27
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Hickory Street
28
Turn right onto Horner Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Horner Street
29
Continue on PA 403
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
30
Turn slight right onto PA 403
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Bridge Street
31
Continue on PA 403
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Ferndale Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
PA 403
Trip Plan
Starting your drive in the morning will allow you to reach Ferndale with ample daylight, making it easy to navigate the final approach. With a total duration of under four hours, you won't need to force many stops, but planning one break around the halfway point is a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $30, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from the Raymond P. Shafer Highway to US 422, as this is where the driving character will likely change the most.
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 89.4 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 40m 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 89.4 miles or 1h 40m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ferndale, 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 178.8 miles and 3h 52m.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Erie, 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 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 185 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
$29.64 one way
$59.29 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $32.47 | $64.93 |
| premium | $4.93 | $34.68 | $69.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.48 | $78.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.77 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.03 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Ferndale, PA
Morning in Ferndale on Tuesday
Local time
8:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 178.8
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 178.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, with 41% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience an uninterrupted stretch of 84.1 miles on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, which likely offers a more consistent pace. As you transition to US 422 and PA 56, expect the character of the road to evolve, potentially offering more varied driving conditions and scenery. This blend means you'll encounter both faster highway segments and potentially more winding or local road sections as you progress toward Ferndale.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 178.8 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.
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 Ferndale, PA, road signs point toward New Castle and Johnstown.
New Castle
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Johnstown
164.2 mi in
|
~3h 24m
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 52m. Total distance: 178.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Ferndale, 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.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Ferndale, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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