Warsaw, PA to Erie, PA is 137.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m via I 79, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive with a significant portion on the interstate, making it a relatively straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a duration under three hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion when you want to cover ground efficiently.
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
68.5 miles from Warsaw, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Keystone Shortway
61.4 mi
1h 5m
State Route 28 North
5.9 mi
8m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
PA 28 Truck
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warsaw, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on PA 28
5.9 mi·8 min·State Route 28 North
2
Take the ramp onto PA 28 Truck
0.3 mi·37 sec·PA 28 Truck
3
Merge onto I 80; PA 28 Truck
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Keystone Shortway
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
5
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
7
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
9
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 34m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for any unforeseen delays, though the drive is short enough that flexibility is key. Plan for one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 65.8-mile stretch on I 79, as services can be spaced out on interstates.
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 68.5 miles from Warsaw, PA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Warsaw, 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 Warsaw, PA
This is one driving day of about 137.1 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Warsaw, 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 65.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 136.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in|I 80; PA 28 Truck / Keystone Shortway
Merge onto I 80; PA 28 Truck / Keystone Shortway
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 79 North: Erie
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 79 North: Erie
6
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
136.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.73 one way
$45.46 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$24.89
$49.79
premium
$4.93
$26.59
$53.18
diesel
$5.61
$30.27
$60.54
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
41.1
0
$14.40
$6.58
Efficient EV
34.3
0
$12.00
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.19
$8.77
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
Warsaw, PA
Morning
in Warsaw on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
11:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Grove City, PA
69 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
8 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag, with 53% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster travel on I 79, including one segment that lasts for 65.8 miles without needing to exit. The route also incorporates State Route 28 North and the Keystone Shortway, offering a change of pace from the interstate. While not an entirely monotonous highway experience, the significant highway share means you'll encounter periods of steady driving.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
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 6.2 miles in near I 80; PA 28 Truck / Keystone Shortway.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Warsaw, PA to Erie, PA is easy. At 2h 34m with 53% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (I 80; PA 28 Truck / Keystone Shortway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The longest stretch is about 65.8 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: at 6.2 miles (I 80; PA 28 Truck / Keystone Shortway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 134.1 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.
