Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon in Erie on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Cheswick, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
129.9 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Erie, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Cheswick, PA
Jack Pace
Trip Overview
Erie to Cheswick is 130 miles and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes via Raymond P Shafer Highway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns, so it’s not a simple point-to-point cruise. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local roads and a mix of highway driving. Consider this if you're looking for a relatively short trip with a practical fuel cost.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.9 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 104 mi | 1h 51m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 19 mi | 20m |
| West 12th Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Freeport Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Pittsburgh Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Bayfront Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Greengarden Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 104 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Cheswick, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Greengarden Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Bayfront Parkway
5
Continue on I 79
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 78-77
Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 77
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Cheswick, Springdale
13
Turn straight onto Freeport Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Freeport Road
14
Continue on Pittsburgh Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Pittsburgh Street
15
Turn left onto North Highland Avenue
72 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Highland Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
North Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 30 minute duration and 130-mile distance, this is comfortably a same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays, especially as you approach Cheswick. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's a budget-friendly option. Plan for a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive can be more engaging than a straightforward interstate. Keep an eye on your navigation, particularly when transitioning between Raymond P Shafer Highway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as this is where the route's character shifts.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.9 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.9 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheswick, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Erie, 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 Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 129.9 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Erie, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Raymond P Shafer Highway for about 104 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.9 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Raymond P Shafer Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 127.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m 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 lane.
8
106.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
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 78-77
Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
107.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
9
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 77
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
7
127.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 28: New Kensington, Pittsburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.54 one way
$43.07 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.59 | $47.17 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.47
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(19 mi)
$2.47
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
$22
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 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 | 39 | 0 | $13.64 | $6.24 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
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.
Destination
Cheswick, PA
Afternoon in Cheswick on Saturday
Local time
2:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°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
9 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 28m 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?
This drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local segments, making up about 85% of the journey. While there's a 15% highway share, the majority of your time will be spent navigating more varied terrain. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 104 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway, offering a more consistent pace before you transition to other roads. As you progress, the route shifts from more open highway driving to a more local feel, requiring your attention to be on navigation and road changes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Raymond P Shafer Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 129.9 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 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Erie, PA and Cheswick, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.
Cranberry
106.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
106.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
Youngstown Ohio
107.3 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Harrisburg
107.3 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Patp: Youngstown Ohio
108.1 mi in
|
~2h 1m
About the Cities
Starting 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 28m. Total distance: 129.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Erie, PA to Cheswick, PA covers 129.9 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Raymond P Shafer Highway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, West 12th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.9 miles from Erie, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 129.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Erie, PA and Cheswick, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg and Patp: Youngstown Ohio.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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