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Trip from Erie, PA to Fox Chapel, 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

2h 35m

Distance

133.4 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 25m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m

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 Fox Chapel, PA, PA

Fox Chapel, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

Erie to Fox Chapel is 133.4 miles and takes about 2h 35m via Raymond P Shafer Highway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a route with frequent turns, making it more of a local drive than a high-speed transit. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll have ample time to complete the journey comfortably. The total fuel cost is estimated at $22, making it an economical option.

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

66.7 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway 104 mi 1h 51m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 19 mi 20m
Freeport Road 2.9 mi 5m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
Field Club Road 1 mi 3m
Powers Run Road 1 mi 2m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
West Bayfront Parkway 0.2 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 Fox Chapel, 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

19 mi · 20 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward New Kensington, Pittsburgh
13

Continue on Freeport Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · Freeport Road
14

Turn right onto Powers Run Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Powers Run Road
15

Turn left onto Field Club Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · Field Club Road
16

Arrive at destination

Field Club Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip of just 133.4 miles, you have the flexibility to leave when you wish. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for any unexpected delays and to enjoy the full day. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break about midway through your 2h 35m drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longer stretches on Raymond P Shafer Highway, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $22 is quite reasonable for this distance.

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 66.7 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 15m 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 66.7 miles or 1h 15m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fox Chapel, 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 133.4 miles and 2h 35m.

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.

borough in counties Lawrence, and Beaver, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellwood City, PA

67 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

Edinboro, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.7 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 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

$22.12 one way

$44.23 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.22 $48.44
premium $4.93 $25.87 $51.74
diesel $5.61 $29.45 $58.91

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

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40 0 $14.01 $6.40
Efficient EV 33.4 0 $11.67 $5.34
EV Truck/SUV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 20, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Tuesday

Local time

11:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fox Chapel, PA

Morning in Fox Chapel on Tuesday

Local time

11:21 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

11 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 35m 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?

This drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local feel, with only 14% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating local roads, which means paying close attention to your route. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 104 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. Be prepared for the road to transition from faster highway sections to more winding local streets as you approach your destination.

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 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 12 significant decision points across 133.4 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 Fox Chapel, 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 →

Founded 1795

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

Top landmarks

  • USS Niagara — 2000 restoration/replica wooden-hulled 1813 snow-brig
  • Erie Land Light — lighthouse in Pennsylvania, United States
  • Boston Store — former department store, founded in Erie, Pennsylvania

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 2h 35m. Total distance: 133.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 35m 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 Fox Chapel, 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 Fox Chapel, PA before heading back.

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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