Trip from Monongahela, PA to Erie, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 9m

Distance

149.8 mi

241 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 58m ★

6 AM

3h 9m

8 AM

3h 33m

10 AM

3h 18m

12 PM

3h 15m

3 PM

3h 19m

5 PM

3h 32m

8 PM

3h 2m

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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Monongahela, PA

Michael Taccetta

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 158.1-mile journey from Monongahela, PA, to Erie, PA, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via Dry Run Road, PA Tpke 43 North, and the Mon/Fayette Expressway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $26, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. This route offers a more local driving experience, making it a straightforward option for a one-day excursion within Pennsylvania.

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

74.9 miles from Monongahela, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 79	111.2 mi	2h
Parkway North	11.6 mi	16m
Brownsville Road Extension	3.9 mi	7m
Mon/Fayette Expressway	3.2 mi	3m
Dry Run Road	3 mi	4m
Brownsville Road	2.6 mi	4m
Saw Mill Run Boulevard	2.6 mi	5m
West 12th Street	2.3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 79 — 111.2 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on PA 88; PA 837; PA 136

0.8 mi · 2 min · PA 88; PA 837; PA 136

Turn left onto PA 136

3.0 mi · 4 min · Dry Run Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward PA Tpke 43 North: Pittsburgh

Merge onto PA Tpke 43

3.2 mi · 3 min · Mon/Fayette Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Exit 48 Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville

Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Finleyville Elrama Road

Turn right onto McChain Road

70 ft · 1 sec · McChain Road

Keep slight left at fork onto McChain Road

1.7 mi · 4 min · McChain Road

Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension

3.9 mi · 7 min · Brownsville Road Extension

At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Brownsville Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Brownsville Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Brownsville Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on Provost Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Provost Road

Continue on Provost Road

202 ft · 7 sec · Provost Road

Turn left onto PA 51

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Saw Mill Run Boulevard

Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt

2.3 mi · 5 min · Saw Mill Run Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

361 ft · 12 sec · this road

Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels

1.2 mi · 2 min · Liberty Tunnels

Use the right lane.

Continue on Liberty Bridge

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Liberty Bridge

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 579 North

Continue on I 579

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Crosstown Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 579

1.1 mi · 1 min · Veterans Bridge

Continue on I 279

12 mi · 16 min · Parkway North

Merge onto I 79

111 mi · 2 hr · I 79

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour 42-minute duration and 158.1-mile length, this drive is easily completed in a single day from Monongahela to Erie. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the one suggested stop and to avoid any potential rush hour traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, keeping an eye on your gauge is straightforward. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation, especially as you transition between Dry Run Road, PA Tpke 43 North, and the Mon/Fayette Expressway, to ensure you stay on track.

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 74.9 miles from Monongahela, PA, or about 1h 44m 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 33 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 36m

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 Monongahela, 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 Monongahela, PA

This is one driving day of about 149.8 miles and 3h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Monongahela, 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.

borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Valencia, PA

75 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

McKees Rocks, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.9 miles from Monongahela, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 27min in 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $50

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14124813336

Visit website

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.4 mi

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

0.4 mi

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $50

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14124813336

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18887174544

Visit website

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 149.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.8 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the ramp toward PA Tpke 43 North: Pittsburgh

Navigation decision point

Toward PA Tpke 43 North: Pittsburgh

7.4 mi into trip | ~11m 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

13.9 mi into trip | ~25m in | Brownsville Road

At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

146.8 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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

149.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | State Street

Turn left onto State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.83 one way

$49.67 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$27.20	$54.40
premium	$4.93	$29.05	$58.10
diesel	$5.61	$33.07	$66.15

Estimated Tolls: $0.22

Mon/Fayette Expressway (3.2 mi) $0.22

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

$25

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.9	$15.73	$7.19
Efficient EV	37.5	$13.11	$5.99
EV Truck/SUV	59.9	$20.97	$9.59

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Monongahela, PA

Morning in Monongahela on Tuesday

Local time

8:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Tuesday

Local time

8:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Valencia, PA

75 mi in

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

3h 9m 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 turn-heavy local drive for this 158.1-mile trip, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You won't find long stretches of uninterrupted driving; instead, the route emphasizes varied local roads. The character of the drive will likely involve frequent adjustments and a more engaged experience behind the wheel as you transition between Dry Run Road, PA Tpke 43 North, and the Mon/Fayette Expressway. This type of route encourages a steady pace rather than high-speed travel.

85% 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 Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 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 149.8 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 3.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.

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 9m. Total distance: 149.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 $0.22 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Monongahela, PA to Erie, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant

J & J's Family Restaurant & Catering

KAVSAR RESTAURANT

Kiku Japanese Restaurant

Grand Concourse

Cambod-Ican Kitchen Restaurant

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

Orbis Caffe

Autel Charging Station

Cochran Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Bicentennial Tower

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Monongahela, PA

Erie, PA

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 9m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Erie, PA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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