Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
38m
Distance
23.4 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union City, PA
Michael Taccetta
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking to travel from Union City to Erie, PA, this 23-mile journey is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 33 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Perry Street, Waterford Street, and PA-97 as you head north through the Northeast region. Because the total duration is so brief, this is an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should be sufficient to cover the entire distance. This route is a practical choice for those who prefer local roads over highway travel, offering a quick and efficient way to reach your destination.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Peach Street | 14.4 mi | 25m |
| PA-97 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| High Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Waterford Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Route 19 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Perry Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| State Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on US 6; PA 8
Turn left onto PA 97
Continue on PA 97
Continue on PA 97
Enter roundabout onto US 19; PA 97
Continue on US 19; PA 97
Continue on US 19; PA 97
Continue on US 19
Turn right onto West 8th Street
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 23.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto PA 97 / Perry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 19; PA 97 / Route 19
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto West 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto State Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.88 one way
$7.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $4.25 | $8.50 |
| premium | $4.93 | $4.54 | $9.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.17 | $10.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7 | 0 | $2.46 | $1.12 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.05 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.28 | $1.50 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 Union City on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Erie on Sunday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate experience, as this route features zero highway driving. You will find yourself navigating local roads for the entire 23-mile duration, which keeps the experience engaging rather than repetitive. Since there is no significant highway stretch, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Perry Street, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The road's character is defined by its constant transitions, making it a technical drive that demands a bit more concentration than a standard freeway cruise.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near PA 97 / Perry Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Union City, PA to Erie, PA is easy. At 38m with 31% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (PA 97 / Perry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (US 19; PA 97 / Route 19): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.2 miles (West 8th Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
934 ft
Highest Point
1,488 ft
~11.7 mi in
Elevation Range
836 ft
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 38m. Total distance: 23.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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.
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