J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering
Early in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14123811822
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
164.6 mi
265 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Glen, PA
Phil Evenden
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
This 164.6-mile drive from Maple Glen, PA, to Erie, PA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll spend about 86% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing 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 trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, making for a consistent travel experience.
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
82.3 miles from Maple Glen, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
| 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 |
| Low Hill Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Brownsville Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Saw Mill Run Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Glen, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto PA 88
Turn left onto PA 88
Merge onto PA Tpke 43; PA 88
Take the exit
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
Turn right onto McChain Road
Keep slight left at fork onto McChain Road
Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
Continue on Provost Road
Continue on Provost Road
Turn left onto PA 51
Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
Continue on Liberty Bridge
Take the exit
Continue on I 579
Continue on I 579
Continue on I 279
Merge onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 164.6-mile trip from Maple Glen to Erie offers plenty of flexibility. You could depart mid-morning and still arrive with ample daylight. Plan for one main stop to break up the 111.2-mile stretch on I-79. Given the highway-centric nature, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Maple Glen, as opportunities for services might be more spaced out on the expressways. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is quite manageable, so budget accordingly.
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.
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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Maple Glen, 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 Maple Glen, PA
This is one driving day of about 164.6 miles and 3h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Maple Glen, 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · early in the drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14123811822
La Tavola Italiana Restaurant
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
KAVSAR RESTAURANT
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Best coffee break · early in the drive
Pittsburgh, PA
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14125631220
Early in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+14123811822
Early in the drive, right off the route
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5–9 pm
+14124813336
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 4–9:30 pm
+14124888708
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 12–2 pm
+14127653200
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
+14122611717
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 5:30 pm–2 am
+14123816199
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10:30 am–12 pm
+14122611599
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: 11 am–1 pm
+14123812583
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, PA
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14125631220
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+17242433187
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Early in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Donora, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
Early in the drive, short detour
Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+18887174544
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Erie, Pennsylvania
Hours: Closed
+18144347376
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.2 and 164.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$27.29 one way
$54.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $29.89 | $59.77 |
| premium | $4.93 | $31.92 | $63.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.34 | $72.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 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 | 49.4 | 0 | $17.28 | $7.90 |
| Efficient EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.40 | $6.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.04 | $10.53 |
Gas CO2
58 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Maple Glen on Tuesday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
10:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 164.6-mile route, with 86% of your travel occurring on major interstates and expressways. The primary roads guiding you are I-79, the Mon/Fayette Expressway, and Parkway North. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111.2 miles on I-79, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly with minimal distractions from local traffic or winding roads.
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 22.2 miles in.
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 164.6 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 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
1,192 ft
Highest Point
1,465 ft
~141.1 mi in
Elevation Range
813 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maple Glen, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
Elizabeth
Finleyville
Founded 1795
Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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