Origin
Erie, PA
Night in Erie on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Kimmel, PA
Drive Time
3h 40m
Distance
187.7 mi
302 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 28m
★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kimmel, PA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Spanning 187.7 miles, this route from Erie to Kimmel, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete. You will navigate a mix of roads, primarily utilizing the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and State Route 31. Because the entire journey is contained within Pennsylvania’s Northeast region, you can easily manage this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $31 for fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for a day excursion. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable for most drivers to handle in one go.
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
93.8 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a varied experience behind the wheel, characterized by a mix of high-speed transit and local navigation. Highways make up about 37% of the total distance, providing you with periods of steady cruising. You will spend the most significant portion of your time on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 104 miles. As you transition from these major arteries onto State Route 31, the character of the drive shifts, requiring more focused attention on local road conditions. This combination keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind while still allowing you to make efficient time.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 187.7 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 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; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
108.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
170.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
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 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
Towns Along This Route
Between Erie, PA and Kimmel, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Uniontown.
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
Uniontown
170.8 mi in
|
~3h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 104 mi | 1h 51m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 61.9 mi | 1h 6m |
| State Route 31 | 7 mi | 10m |
| Glades Pike | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Trent Road | 3.7 mi | 9m |
| West 12th Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| Copper Kettle Highway | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 0.4 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 Kimmel, 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
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
2 min
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto PA 31
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
State Route 31
13
Continue on PA 31
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Glades Pike
14
Turn right onto Trent Road
3.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Trent Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto Copper Kettle Highway
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Copper Kettle Highway
16
Arrive at destination
SR 3029
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 40-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since you are covering a significant distance, leaving early in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic surges and ensure you arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight left. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 104-mile stretch on the Raymond P. Shafer Highway, as finding a service station might be less convenient than on the turnpike sections. The flexibility of this one-day route means you can adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Use your single scheduled stop to stretch your legs, especially after finishing the longer highway segments.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.8 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 44m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.8 miles or 1h 44m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kimmel, 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 187.7 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, 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 Raymond P Shafer Highway for about 104 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.8 mi from Erie, PA · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.8 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.
Arriving in Kimmel, PA
The final approach into Kimmel, 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 Kimmel, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.06 one way
$62.12 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $33.99 | $67.97 |
| premium | $4.92 | $36.37 | $72.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.70 | $83.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $8.05
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(61.9 mi)
$8.05
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
$31
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| Efficient EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.42 | $7.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.28 | $12.01 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Kimmel, PA
Night in Kimmel on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Mina, NY
94 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
11 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
3h 40m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Erie, PA to Kimmel, PA covers 187.7 miles and takes about 3h 40m 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, State Route 31. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.8 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 $31.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 187.7 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 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; at 108.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Erie, PA and Kimmel, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Uniontown.
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