Trip from Erie, PA to Kimmel, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

187.7 mi

302 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 28m ★

6 AM

3h 41m

8 AM

4h 6m

10 AM

3h 50m

12 PM

3h 47m

3 PM

3h 51m

5 PM

4h 5m

8 PM

3h 33m

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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Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Kimmel, PA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

Spanning 187.7 miles, this route from Erie to Kimmel, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete. You will navigate a mix of roads, primarily utilizing the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and State Route 31. Because the entire journey is contained within Pennsylvania’s Northeast region, you can easily manage this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $31 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for a day excursion. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable for most drivers to handle in one go.

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

93.8 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway	104 mi	1h 51m
Pennsylvania Turnpike	61.9 mi	1h 6m
State Route 31	7 mi	10m
Glades Pike	4.6 mi	6m
Trent Road	3.7 mi	9m
West 12th Street	2 mi	4m
Copper Kettle Highway	1.1 mi	2m
State Street	0.4 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 Kimmel, PA.

Start on State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.0 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway

Continue on I 79

104 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 78-77 Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Exit 77 Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 76; PATP

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 2 min

Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto PA 31

7.0 mi · 10 min · State Route 31

Continue on PA 31

4.6 mi · 6 min · Glades Pike

Turn right onto Trent Road

3.7 mi · 9 min · Trent Road

At end of road, turn left onto Copper Kettle Highway

1.1 mi · 2 min · Copper Kettle Highway

Arrive at destination

SR 3029

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 40-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since you are covering a significant distance, leaving early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic surges and ensure you arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 104-mile stretch on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, as finding a service station might be less convenient than on the turnpike sections. The flexibility of this one-day route means you can adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Use your single scheduled stop to stretch your legs, especially after finishing the longer highway segments.

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 93.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 44m 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 41 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.8 miles or 1h 44m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimmel, 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 187.7 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sewickley, PA

94 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

Shenango, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.8 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

John Anthony's | Restaurant and Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 134.1

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14127958666

Visit website

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Mohan's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

1 mi

John Anthony's | Restaurant and Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 134.1

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14127958666

Visit website

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 147.5

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Mohan's Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.1

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14127933121

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.2

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 147.5

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17245155983

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 160.9

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.6

Hadley, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17242532208

Visit website

Esta Esta Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 134.1

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14123724414

Visit website

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 134.1

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

+18774943833

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 134.1

Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 134.1

Monroeville, 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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 170.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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

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

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

170.8 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in

Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown

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 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.12 one way

$62.24 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$34.08	$68.16
premium	$4.93	$36.40	$72.80
diesel	$5.61	$41.44	$82.88

Estimated Tolls: $8.05

Pennsylvania Turnpike (61.9 mi) $8.05

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

$31

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.3	$19.71	$9.01
Efficient EV	46.9	$16.42	$7.51
EV Truck/SUV	75.1	$26.28	$12.01

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 15, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Sunday

Local time

9:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kimmel, PA

Morning in Kimmel on Sunday

Local time

9:28 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

13 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 40m 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.

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...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 181.2

View on nps.gov

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour Free near mile 187.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip offers a varied experience behind the wheel, characterized by a mix of high-speed transit and local navigation. Highways make up about 37% of the total distance, providing you with periods of steady cruising. You will spend the most significant portion of your time on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 104 miles. As you transition from these major arteries onto State Route 31, the character of the drive shifts, requiring more focused attention on local road conditions. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind while still allowing you to make efficient time.

37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

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

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 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 11 significant decision points across 187.7 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 Kimmel, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Uniontown.

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

Uniontown

170.8 mi in | ~3h 9m

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 40m. Total distance: 187.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

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 $8.05 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 Kimmel, 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.

Yes — Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kimmel, 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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Trip from Erie, PA to Kimmel, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

John Anthony's | Restaurant and Lounge

John Anthony's | Restaurant and Lounge

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Mohan's Restaurant

Valenza Restaurant

Cenacolo Restaurant

The Village

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

Esta Esta Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Bicentennial Tower

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Erie, PA

Kimmel, PA

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 40m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Flight 93 National Memorial

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Erie, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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