Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from North Buffalo, 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 38m

Distance

127.3 mi

205 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown North Buffalo, PA, PA

North Buffalo, PA

Jack Pace

Downtown Erie, PA, PA

Erie, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 127.3-mile drive from North Buffalo, PA, to Erie, PA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 38 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. The primary route utilizes I-79 and US-422, with a significant 94% of the drive on highways, suggesting a focus on efficient travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, making it a convenient route for those exploring the state.

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

63.6 miles from North Buffalo, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 79 83.6 mi 1h 29m
US 422 33.4 mi 45m
West 12th Street 2.3 mi 4m
Old State Highway 28 2.1 mi 3m
Skinall Road 1.3 mi 3m
State Route 3007 0.9 mi 2m
Glade Run 0.7 mi 1m
Prospect Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 79 — 83.6 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Boarts Road

76 ft · 10 sec · Boarts Road
2

Turn sharp left onto PA 128

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Cadogan Slate Lick Road
3

Continue on PA 128

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Street
4

Turn left onto PA 128

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Prospect Avenue
5

Turn left onto Skinall Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · Skinall Road
6

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road
7

Continue on State Route 3007

0.9 mi · 2 min · State Route 3007
8

Continue on Glade Run

0.7 mi · 1 min · Glade Run
9

Turn right onto Old State Highway 28

2.1 mi · 3 min · Old State Highway 28
10

Continue on State Route 3017

0.1 mi · 19 sec · State Route 3017
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 55 sec
13

Merge onto US 422

33 mi · 45 min · US 422
14

Turn left

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 79 North: Erie
15

Merge onto I 79

84 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 79
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

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 38 minutes, this route offers excellent flexibility for when you depart. You can easily tackle this drive in one day without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop to break up the 127.3 miles, perhaps during the 83.6-mile stretch on I-79. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is modest, so budget accordingly. Keep an eye out for potential traffic as you transition from I-79 to US-422 and then onto West 12th Street in Erie.

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 63.6 miles from North Buffalo, PA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 28 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.6 miles or 1h 25m 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 9m

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 North Buffalo, 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 North Buffalo, PA

This is one driving day of about 127.3 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from North Buffalo, 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 83.6 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

64 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

Meadowood, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shenango, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.6 miles from North Buffalo, 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 83.6 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

Falsetti's Villa Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kittanning, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17247632266

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Meadville, Pennsylvania

2.4 mi

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hadley, Pennsylvania

2.9 mi

Falsetti's Villa Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Kittanning, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17247632266

Visit website

Valenza Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.9

Meadville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18147241222

Visit website

Rainbow Valley Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.7

Hadley, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17242532208

Visit website

Camelot Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.5

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–3 pm

+17247945005

Visit website

The Factory Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100

Saegertown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+18147633517

Visit website

Bicentennial Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 127.3

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 126.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road

Turn sharp left onto PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
40.7 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | I 79

Merge onto I 79

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
124.3 mi into trip | ~2h 31m 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
5
124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 32m 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 / right lanes.
6
126.9 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | State Street

Turn left onto State Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.10 one way

$42.21 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $23.11 $46.23
premium $4.93 $24.69 $49.38
diesel $5.61 $28.11 $56.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.2 0 $13.37 $6.11
Efficient EV 31.8 0 $11.14 $5.09
EV Truck/SUV 50.9 0 $17.82 $8.15

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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 15, 2026

Origin

North Buffalo, PA

Morning in North Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

10:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Morning in Erie on Sunday

Local time

10:23 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

14 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

2h 38m 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 highway-focused experience for most of this 127.3-mile trip, as 94% of the route is on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.6 miles along I-79, indicating long periods of consistent driving. While predominantly interstate, the route incorporates US-422 and West 12th Street, which may offer slightly different driving dynamics as you approach your destination. This highway-centric profile means you can maintain steady speeds for much of the journey.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on I 79.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and US 422. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 40.7 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,355 ft 653 ft

Total Climb

578 ft

Total Descent

1,001 ft

Highest Point

1,355 ft

~100 mi in

Elevation Range

702 ft

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 38m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on I 79. 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: near the start (PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 40.7 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Erie, PA

Manchester, VT 430.9 mi · 8h 54m Baldwin, PA 425.1 mi · 7h 54m Pennsport, PA 424.4 mi · 7h 54m Moore, PA 424.2 mi · 7h 54m

More from North Buffalo, PA

Whitman, PA 311.4 mi · 6h 12m Girty, PA 29.8 mi · 44m Kiskimere, PA 19.5 mi · 28m

More trips to Erie, PA

Langhorne Manor, PA 423.6 mi Ridley Park, PA 423.4 mi Fairview, PA 422.4 mi Trevose, PA 421.2 mi Philadelphia, PA 420.4 mi Drexel Hill, PA 417.8 mi
Escape planner: North Buffalo, PA Scenic drives in PA

Explore more options from North Buffalo, PA or browse trips ending in Erie, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.