Origin
East Conemaugh, PA
Late night in East Conemaugh on Thursday
Local time
1:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
182.4 mi
294 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Conemaugh, PA
Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare
Traveling from East Conemaugh to Erie covers 182.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is perfectly manageable as a straightforward one-day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel will get you from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania up to the shores of Lake Erie. You will primarily navigate via I-79, the Ben Franklin Highway, and US-422. It is an efficient route that balances interstate transit with local highway driving, making it a practical choice for travelers looking to bridge the distance between these two Pennsylvania points without unnecessary detours.
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
91.2 miles from East Conemaugh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Expect a drive defined by a mix of quick highway segments and essential regional roads, with about 67% of the journey spent on highways. The route features a notable longest stretch of 83.6 miles on I-79, where you can settle into a steady cruising speed. As you transition between the Ben Franklin Highway and US-422, the road environment shifts from local corridors to high-capacity lanes. While the route is highway-focused, the variation in road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will find that the personality of the road evolves as you move through the Pennsylvania landscape, requiring you to stay attentive to changing speed limits and traffic flow.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Ben Franklin Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 271 / 2nd Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 50m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 271 / 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 95.8 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto PA 271 / 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 83.6 mi | 1h 29m |
| Ben Franklin Highway | 42.8 mi | 56m |
| US 422 | 38.5 mi | 52m |
| William Penn Avenue | 6.7 mi | 11m |
| Station Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Parkhill Drive | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Shoemaker Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between East Conemaugh, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on Oak Street
Turn right onto PA 271
Turn straight onto PA 271
Turn straight onto PA 271
Continue on PA 271
Continue on PA 271
At end of road, turn left onto PA 271
Continue on PA 271
At end of road, turn left onto US 422; PA 271
Continue on US 422
Take the exit onto US 422
Turn left
Merge onto I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour and 50-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the trip is relatively compact, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on major arteries like I-79 will ensure a smoother experience. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops, especially if you prefer to top off before hitting the longer interstate stretches. Given that the longest segment covers 83.6 miles, prioritize your rest break somewhere in the middle to stay sharp behind the wheel. Because this is a single-day trip, pack light and focus your energy on arriving in Erie with plenty of time to enjoy your destination.
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.
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 40 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.2 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving East Conemaugh, 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 East Conemaugh, PA
This is one driving day of about 182.4 miles and 3h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.2 mi from East Conemaugh, PA · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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.
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91.2 miles from East Conemaugh, 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 83.6 miles.
The final approach into Erie, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Erie, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.24 one way
$60.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $33.12 | $66.24 |
| premium | $4.93 | $35.37 | $70.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.27 | $80.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.15 | $8.76 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73 | 0 | $25.54 | $11.67 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in East Conemaugh on Thursday
Local time
1:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Erie on Thursday
Local time
1:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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