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Trip from Erie, PA to Imperial, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 37m

Distance

133.7 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 27m ★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Imperial, PA, PA

Imperial, PA

Enrique

Trip Overview

This 133.7-mile journey from Erie, PA to Imperial, PA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. You'll be navigating primarily on Raymond P. Shafer Highway and I-79, with some segments of Penn-Lincoln Parkway West. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $22, and it's characterized by a turn-heavy local drive feel rather than long stretches of open highway. Given its duration and distance, this route is perfectly manageable as a day trip, allowing for a flexible schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.

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

66.9 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway 111.8 mi 2h 1m
I 79 10.8 mi 14m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway West 3.8 mi 5m
Steubenville Pike 3 mi 6m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
US 30 0.9 mi 2m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
West Bayfront Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Raymond P Shafer Highway — 111.8 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Imperial, 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

112 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79

11 mi · 14 min · I 79
Toward Washington Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 60B Toward PA 60 North: Moon Run Use the slight right lane.
8

Turn straight onto PA 60

3.0 mi · 6 min · Steubenville Pike
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on US 22; US 30

3.8 mi · 5 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit onto US 30

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 30
Toward US 30 West, PA 978 South: Imperial Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 30

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 30
Toward US 30 West: Imperial, West Allegheny Schools, Raccoon Creek State Park Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto Church Road

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Church Road
13

Arrive at destination

Church Road

Trip Plan

For this 133.7-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach your destination. With a recommended one-day duration and a fuel cost of about $22, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for stops. The longest stretch on Raymond P. Shafer Highway is over 111 miles, so plan your first break before you reach that point. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, be mindful of navigation and speed changes, particularly on the Penn-Lincoln Parkway West segment.

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 66.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.8 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 Imperial, 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 133.7 miles and 2h 37m.

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 111.8 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 66.9 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 111.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 38.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

The Inn Place Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Imperial, Pennsylvania

0.8 mi

Fabs Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

2.2 mi

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 38.2

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

The Inn Place Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 133.7

Imperial, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17246951017

Fabs Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.2

McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–8 pm

+14125039090

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4:30 am–8 pm

+14124725062

Visit website

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.3

Hadley, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17242532208

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 133.7

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14128652200

Visit website

The Factory Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.7

Saegertown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+18147633517

Visit website

Angkor | Cambodian Thai Cuisine

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.2

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14129288424

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 124.2

McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 124.2

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Autel Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 124.2

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

EVgo Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 133.7

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 133.7

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 133.7

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Erie, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+18144347376

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 132.9 — 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.
7
114.5 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | I 79

Keep slight right at fork onto I 79 toward Washington

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Washington
7
125.4 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward PA 60 North: Moon Run

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 60B Toward PA 60 North: Moon Run
7
132.7 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 30

Take the exit onto US 30 toward US 30 West, PA 978 South: Imperial

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 US 30 West, PA 978 South: Imperial
8
132.9 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 30

Keep slight right at fork onto US 30 toward US 30 West: Imperial, West Allegheny Schools, Raccoon Creek State Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 30 West: Imperial, West Allegheny Sch...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.51 one way

$43.02 round trip

$4.09/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $24.21 $48.42
premium $4.95 $26.08 $52.15
diesel $5.98 $31.48 $62.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.1 0 $14.04 $6.42
Efficient EV 33.4 0 $11.70 $5.35
EV Truck/SUV 53.5 0 $18.72 $8.56

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 15, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Sunday

Local time

12:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Imperial, PA

Late night in Imperial on Sunday

Local time

12:38 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 37m 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 driving experience that leans towards a turn-heavy local feel, with only 12% of the route being on highways. While there's a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111.8 miles on Raymond P. Shafer Highway, the overall character involves more frequent changes in direction and speed. This means you'll be engaging with the road more actively than on a typical interstate cruise. The transition between the major roads like I-79 and the local segments will likely feel distinct, requiring your attention throughout the 2-hour and 37-minute drive.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.8 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 133.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 114.5 miles (I 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Erie, PA to Imperial, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.

Washington

114.5 mi in | ~2h 7m | via I 79

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 2h 37m. Total distance: 133.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.8 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Imperial, 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 114.5 miles (I 79): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Imperial, 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. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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