Origin
Lowhill, PA
Morning in Lowhill on Sunday
Local time
8:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lowhill, PA to Erie, 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 21m
Distance
162.8 mi
262 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lowhill, PA
Haneul Trac
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 162.8-mile drive from Lowhill, PA to Erie, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes on the road, navigating primarily via I-79, the Mon/Fayette Expressway, and Parkway North. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this route is an economical option for a quick regional trip within the Northeast. The drive's efficiency makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
81.4 miles from Lowhill, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 111.2 mi | 2h |
| Mon/Fayette Expressway | 18.6 mi | 19m |
| Parkway North | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Brownsville Road Extension | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Brownsville Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Saw Mill Run Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| McChain Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 111.2 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowhill, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Ridge Road
25 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ridge Road
2
Turn left onto PA 88
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Low Hill Road
3
Turn left onto PA 88
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 88
4
Merge onto PA Tpke 43; PA 88
19 mi
·
19 min
·
Mon/Fayette Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
6
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Finleyville Elrama Road
7
Turn right onto McChain Road
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
McChain Road
8
Keep slight left at fork onto McChain Road
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
McChain Road
9
Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Brownsville Road Extension
10
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Brownsville Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Brownsville Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Provost Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Provost Road
13
Continue on Provost Road
202 ft
·
7 sec
·
Provost Road
14
Turn left onto PA 51
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on this road
361 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
18
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Liberty Tunnels
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on Liberty Bridge
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Liberty Bridge
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 579 North
21
Continue on I 579
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Crosstown Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 579
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Veterans Bridge
23
Continue on I 279
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Parkway North
24
Merge onto I 79
111 mi
·
2 hr
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
26
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour duration, you have the flexibility to depart Lowhill at a time that suits you, though an early start can help you maximize your time in Erie. With only one suggested stop, plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 111 miles on I-79, so be mindful of fuel levels before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $27 makes budgeting straightforward for this 162.8-mile trip.
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 81.4 miles from Lowhill, PA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 36 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.4 miles or 1h 49m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lowhill, 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 Lowhill, PA
This is one driving day of about 162.8 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lowhill, 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 I 79 for about 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.4 miles from Lowhill, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 20.3 and 162.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
20.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
6
26.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
Brownsville Road
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
27.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
Brownsville Road
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
159.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
6
162.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.99 one way
$53.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
| premium | $4.93 | $31.57 | $63.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.94 | $71.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.30
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(18.6 mi)
$1.30
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
$27
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
| Efficient EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.25 | $6.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.79 | $10.42 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning in Erie on Sunday
Local time
8:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
4 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
3h 21m 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.
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
~59 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 87% of the drive utilizing major expressways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 111.2 miles on I-79, offering a consistent pace. This highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, with fewer stops needed for navigation through local roads. While the majority is high-speed driving, the transition between the Mon/Fayette Expressway, Parkway North, and I-79 will offer some variety in the road's immediate surroundings.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Mon/Fayette Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 162.8 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 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (Brownsville Road): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lowhill, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
Elizabeth
20.3 mi in
|
~23m
Finleyville
20.3 mi in
|
~23m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 21m. Total distance: 162.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.30 in tolls one way, starting with Mon/Fayette Expressway. 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 Erie, 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 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Fort Necessity National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Erie, 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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