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Trip from McDonald, 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

2h 46m

Distance

137.2 mi

221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m

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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borough of Pennsylvania, United States

McDonald, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 141.1-mile journey from McDonald, PA, to Erie, PA, is designed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, making for a more engaging, turn-heavy experience. Given the relatively short duration and distance, it’s easily manageable in one day without needing an overnight stop. Budget around $23 for fuel for this drive. This route stays within the Northeast region, traversing familiar Pennsylvania landscapes.

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

68.6 miles from McDonald, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway 122.4 mi 2h 15m
Steubenville Pike 3.5 mi 7m
Noblestown Road 3.2 mi 7m
West 12th Street 2.3 mi 4m
McKee Road 2 mi 3m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway West 1.1 mi 1m
Clinton Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Raymond P Shafer Highway — 122.4 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McDonald, PA and Erie, PA.

1

Start on Sarah Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Sarah Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto Center Avenue

278 ft · 19 sec · Center Avenue
3

Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue

0.3 mi · 42 sec · East Lincoln Avenue
4

Continue on Noblestown Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · Noblestown Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto Noblestown Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Noblestown Road
6

Continue on Noblestown Road

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Noblestown Road
7

At end of road, turn left onto PA 978; Orange Belt

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Clinton Avenue
8

Continue on PA 978; Orange Belt

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Oakdale Road
9

Continue on Orange Belt

2.0 mi · 3 min · McKee Road
10

Take the ramp onto Orange Belt

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Orange Belt
Toward US 22 East, US 30 East, Orange Belt: Pittsburgh
11

Merge onto US 22; US 30; Orange Belt

1.1 mi · 1 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
12

Continue on PA 60; Orange Belt

3.2 mi · 6 min · Steubenville Pike
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on PA 60

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Steubenville Pike
14

Turn left

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 79 North
15

Merge onto I 79

122 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
17

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

Since this trip is just 141.1 miles and takes only about 2 hours and 16 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Erie, or a mid-morning start if you prefer a more relaxed pace. With no long highway stretches, stops can be as frequent or infrequent as you like, dictated by your personal needs rather than the road itself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and plan your fill-up accordingly before you depart or as needed along the way.

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 68.6 miles from McDonald, PA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.6 miles or 1h 26m 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 15m

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 McDonald, 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 McDonald, PA

This is one driving day of about 137.2 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from McDonald, 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 122.4 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

69 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.

Popular next leg

Ellwood City, PA to Erie, PA

100.4 mi · 1h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Sewickley, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.6 miles from McDonald, 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 122.4 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

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 98

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Five Stars | Honduras Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.6

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+14123297978

Visit website

The Factory Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 107.8

Saegertown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+18147633517

Visit website

Camelot Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 58.8

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–3 pm

+17247945005

Visit website

Kasai Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.8

Carnegie, PA

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14122795500

Visit website

Fabs Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.8

McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–8 pm

+14125039090

Visit website

Severina Restaurant and Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 19.6

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+14129393610

Angkor | Cambodian Thai Cuisine

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.8

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14129288424

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 9.8

McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 9.8

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9.8

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Autel Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 9.8

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 137.2

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 0.2 and 136.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Center Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Center Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Lincoln Avenue

Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
3.7 mi into trip | ~8m in | PA 978; Orange Belt / Clinton Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto PA 978; Orange Belt / Clinton Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
134.2 mi into trip | ~2h 39m 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
136.7 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | State Street

Turn left onto State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.75 one way

$45.49 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $24.91 $49.82
premium $4.93 $26.61 $53.22
diesel $5.61 $30.29 $60.58

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 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.2 0 $14.41 $6.59
Efficient EV 34.3 0 $12.00 $5.49
EV Truck/SUV 54.9 0 $19.21 $8.78

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 19, 2026

Origin

McDonald, PA

Late night in McDonald on Sunday

Local time

3:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Sunday

Local time

3:47 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

10 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 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a decidedly local drive on this route, with no highway segments to speak of. You'll be following a series of local roads, including Center Avenue, East Lincoln Avenue, and Noblestown Road, which means a higher number of turns and a more intimate connection with the landscape. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy,' so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction. Without long highway stretches, you'll likely experience a more varied pace as you pass through different communities.

Only 1% 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: 122.4 mi on Raymond P Shafer Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Center Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Center Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Lincoln Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.7 miles (PA 978; Orange Belt / Clinton Avenue): Navigation decision point.

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 2h 46m. Total distance: 137.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 122.4 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Center Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Lincoln Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.7 miles (PA 978; Orange Belt / Clinton Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Erie, 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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