Origin
Wilmerding, PA
Late night in Wilmerding on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wilmerding, PA to Erie, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
143.3 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wilmerding, PA
Haneul Trac
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Wilmerding, PA to Erie, PA is 143.3 miles and takes about 2h 45m via I 79 and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused trip stays within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. With a high percentage of highway driving and a short overall duration, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient drive. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, offering a reliable way to cover the distance in a single day.
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
71.7 miles from Wilmerding, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 105.2 mi | 1h 53m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 27.7 mi | 29m |
| Mosside Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Broadway Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Station Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Patton Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmerding, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Clara Street
23 ft
·
7 sec
·
Clara Street
2
Turn left onto Westinghouse Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Westinghouse Avenue
3
Turn right onto Station Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Station Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Station Street
490 ft
·
11 sec
·
Station Street
5
Turn left onto Yellow Belt
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Patton Street
6
Turn right onto Avenue U
214 ft
·
6 sec
·
Avenue U
7
At end of road, turn right onto Avenue U
229 ft
·
11 sec
·
Avenue U
8
Turn left onto Watkins Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Watkins Avenue
9
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
State Street
10
Continue on PA 130
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Boulevard
11
Turn left onto PA 48; Orange Belt
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Mosside Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Daugherty Drive
183 ft
·
12 sec
·
Daugherty Drive
13
Turn right
421 ft
·
36 sec
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 76 West: Ohio
Use the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
28 mi
·
29 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 28
Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 79
105 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
22
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 45m drive time, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure. Aiming for an early morning start will allow you to reach Erie with ample time for activities. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $24, you won't need extensive planning for refueling. The longest continuous stretch is 105.2 miles on I 79, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before needing a break. Keep an eye on the Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls, as these can add to your overall travel expenses.
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 71.7 miles from Wilmerding, PA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.2 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 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 13m
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 Wilmerding, 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 Wilmerding, PA
This is one driving day of about 143.3 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Wilmerding, 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 105.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Wilmerding, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 142.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: Ohio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 76 West: Ohio
8
34 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendal...
7
34.6 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 79 North: Erie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 79 North: Erie
6
140.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
142.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.76 one way
$47.51 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $26.02 | $52.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.79 | $55.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.64 | $63.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.61
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(27.7 mi)
$3.61
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
$24
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.54 | $5.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.06 | $9.17 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night in Erie on Tuesday
Local time
5:23 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
11 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 45m 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 drive for this 143.3-mile trip, with 93% of it on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 79, including a long stretch of 105.2 miles without needing to exit. The route begins with a segment on Mosside Boulevard and the Pennsylvania Turnpike before merging onto I 79. This means you'll primarily experience smooth, high-speed travel, making for a consistent driving pace for most of the journey.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.2 mi on I 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 143.3 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 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wilmerding, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
Pittsburgh
34 mi in
|
~42m
Warrendale
34 mi in
|
~42m
Cranberry
34 mi in
|
~42m
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 45m. Total distance: 143.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.2 miles on I 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.61 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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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