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Trip from Erie, PA to Thompsonville, PA

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

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

139.1 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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 Thompsonville, PA, PA

Thompsonville, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

Erie, PA to Thompsonville, PA is 139.1 miles and takes about 2h 50m via Raymond P Shafer Highway and I 79, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing Pennsylvania for its entirety. Expect a route with frequent turns, making it feel more like a local drive than a long-haul interstate journey. With only one recommended stop, this is a straightforward drive perfect for a single day, offering a practical way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

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

69.6 miles from Erie, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway 111.8 mi 2h 1m
I 79 16.9 mi 23m
Washington Road 2.4 mi 4m
West 12th Street 2 mi 4m
Washington Pike 0.8 mi 1m
Morrow Road 0.8 mi 2m
Bank Street 0.6 mi 1m
Morton Road 0.5 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 Thompsonville, 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

17 mi · 23 min · I 79
Toward Washington Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 55 Toward PA 50: Heidelberg, Collier Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

260 ft · 6 sec
Toward PA 50 West: Kirwan Heights, Bridgeville, Washington Pike Use the right lane.
9

Turn straight onto PA 50

0.8 mi · 1 min · Washington Pike
10

Continue on PA 50

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Turn left onto Station Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Station Street
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto Dewey Avenue

417 ft · 15 sec · Dewey Avenue
13

Turn left onto Bank Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bank Street
14

Continue on Mayview Road

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Mayview Road
15

Turn left onto Morrow Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Morrow Road
16

Turn right onto Morton Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Morton Road
17

Continue on Hastings Mill Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Hastings Mill Road
18

Turn right

90 ft · 5 sec
19

Turn right onto Ashlawn Drive

148 ft · 11 sec · Ashlawn Drive
20

Turn left onto Chapel Wood Drive

0.4 mi · 1 min · Chapel Wood Drive
21

At end of road, turn right onto US 19

2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Road
Use the straight lane.
22

Arrive at destination

US 19

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2h 50m, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time for this 139.1-mile trip. Aim to leave in the morning to comfortably complete the drive before evening. While only one stop is officially recommended, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 111.8-mile stretch on Raymond P Shafer Highway, as gas stations might be less frequent. The $23 fuel cost estimate suggests this is an economical trip, but always check current prices. Pay attention to road signs for the frequent turns indicated in the route profile.

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 69.6 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 19m 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 31 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompsonville, 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 139.1 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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

70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.6 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 132 — 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.
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
8
131.4 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward PA 50: Heidelberg, Collier

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 55 Toward PA 50: Heidelberg, Collier
8
132 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PA 50 West: Kirwan Heights, Bridgeville, Washington Pike

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

Use the right lane. Toward PA 50 West: Kirwan Heights, Bridgeville,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.06 one way

$46.12 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $25.26 $50.51
premium $4.93 $26.98 $53.95
diesel $5.61 $30.71 $61.42

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: 48.7 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 41.7 0 $14.61 $6.68
Efficient EV 34.8 0 $12.17 $5.56
EV Truck/SUV 55.6 0 $19.47 $8.90

Gas CO2

49 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 16, 2026

Origin

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 to 15 mph 83% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Thompsonville, PA

Morning in Thompsonville on Sunday

Local time

6:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°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

14 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 50m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. While 12% of the journey is on highways like I 79, the majority will involve navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.8 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway, which should provide a good period of consistent driving. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience, as the road character will likely shift between faster highway sections and more involved local road navigation with various intersections.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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?

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 14 significant decision points across 139.1 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 114.5 miles (I 79): 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 Thompsonville, PA, road signs point toward Washington, Collier and Bridgeville.

Washington

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

Collier

131.4 mi in | ~2h 30m

Bridgeville

132 mi in | ~2h 32m

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 50m. Total distance: 139.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m 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 Thompsonville, 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 114.5 miles (I 79): 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 Thompsonville, 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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