Erie to North Braddock is 138.5 miles and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes via Raymond P Shafer Highway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a drive with frequent turns, characteristic of local roads, rather than a fast-paced highway journey. Given its manageable duration and the $23 fuel cost estimate, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
69.2 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
111.8 mi
2h 1m
Parkway North
11.4 mi
15m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
5.5 mi
7m
Ardmore Boulevard
2.4 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
I 579
1.6 mi
2m
Boulevard of the Allies
1 mi
1m
Lincoln Highway
0.7 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 North Braddock, 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 left at fork onto I 279
11 mi·15 min·Parkway North
Exit 72Toward I 279: PittsburghUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579
1.6 mi·2 min·I 579
Toward I 579 South: Veterans BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Oakland, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto PA 885
1.0 mi·1 min·Boulevard of the Allies
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
11
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
5.5 mi·7 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
12
Take the exit onto US 30
0.3 mi·35 sec·US 30
Exit 78AToward US 30 East: Forest HillsUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 30
2.4 mi·4 min·Ardmore Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 30
0.7 mi·1 min·Lincoln Highway
15
Turn right onto Center Avenue
125 ft·5 sec·Center Avenue
16
Turn right onto Grandview Avenue
270 ft·17 sec·Grandview Avenue
17
Turn left onto Franklin Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Franklin Street
18
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Brinton Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour 45 minute drive, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach North Braddock without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance of 138.5 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost of $23 is a helpful guide for budgeting, and it's always wise to ensure you have enough gas before departing, especially given the longest stretch of 111.8 miles on the Raymond P Shafer Highway.
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 69.2 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 18m 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.2 miles or 1h 18m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North Braddock, 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 138.5 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 134.7 — 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
114.5 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 279 / Parkway North
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279 / Parkway North toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
7
125.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 579
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579 toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
8
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Oakland, Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Oakland, Monroeville
7
134.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|US 30
Take the exit onto US 30 toward US 30 East: Forest Hills
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78A
Toward US 30 East: Forest Hills
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.96 one way
$45.92 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.15
$50.30
premium
$4.93
$26.86
$53.72
diesel
$5.61
$30.58
$61.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
EV Truck/SUV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.86
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 18, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 16 to 20 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Destination
North Braddock, PA
Late night
in North Braddock on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
9 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 45m 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 route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a series of turns and intersections rather than cruising on an interstate. With only a 14% highway share, the majority of your driving will be on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.8 miles on the Raymond P Shafer Highway, which offers a significant portion of the journey before you transition to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention to navigation and road changes.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 138.5 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 114.5 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.9 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Erie, PA and North Braddock, PA, road signs point toward Oakland and Monroeville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m 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 North Braddock, 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 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.9 miles (I 579): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at North Braddock, PA before heading back.
