Erie to Paint is 183.5 miles and takes about 3 hours 59 minutes via Raymond P Shafer Highway and US 422, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mixed drive with about 40% on highways, making it a straightforward, one-day journey. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B without significant detours, suitable for a quick transit between these two areas.
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
91.7 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 183.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 40% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced travel, but also periods on more local roads. The longest uninterrupted drive segment is 84.1 miles, primarily on Raymond P Shafer Highway. As you progress, the road character will shift, transitioning between these different driving environments. Be prepared for a varied feel behind the wheel, rather than a constant highway cruise or a winding country road.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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 84.1 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 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 183.5 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|Greengarden Boulevard
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward US 422: Butler, New Castle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 99
Toward US 422: Butler, New Castle
6
125.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|US 422
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
163.1 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Ebensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Ebensburg
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 Paint, PA, road signs point toward New Castle and Johnstown.
New Castle
86.8 mi in|~1h 36m
Johnstown
164.2 mi in|~3h 24m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
84.1 mi
1h 30m
US 422
63.6 mi
1h 25m
PA 56
9 mi
13m
Cramer Pike
7.9 mi
13m
Scalp Avenue
3.8 mi
6m
South 6th Street
3.3 mi
5m
Johns Street
2.1 mi
3m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Paint, 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
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 99Toward US 422: Butler, New CastleUse the right lane.
7
Turn right onto US 422
38 mi·51 min·US 422
8
Take the exit onto US 422
0.3 mi·33 sec·US 422
Toward US 422 East, US 422 Business West: Indiana
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
25 mi·33 min·US 422
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
193 ft·4 sec
12
Turn right onto PA 954
3.3 mi·5 min·South 6th Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56
8.9 mi·13 min·PA 56
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 56
0.1 mi·21 sec·PA 56
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 22 East: EbensburgUse the left lane.
16
Merge onto US 22
0.8 mi·1 min·William Penn Highway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 403: Dilltown, Johnstown
18
Turn right onto PA 403
7.9 mi·13 min·Cramer Pike
19
Continue on PA 403
1.2 mi·2 min·Cooper Avenue
20
Turn left onto Iron Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Iron Street
21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·43 sec·4th Avenue
22
At end of road, turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
0.2 mi·28 sec·Broad Street
23
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
0.7 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Boulevard
24
Continue on PA 56; PA 403
2.1 mi·3 min·Johns Street
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
26
At end of road, turn left onto Bedford Street
1.6 mi·3 min·Bedford Street
27
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·Scalp Avenue
28
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
145 ft·2 sec·Scalp Avenue
29
Continue on Scalp Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Scalp Avenue
30
Continue on PA 56
0.2 mi·15 sec·Clear Shade Drive
31
Arrive at destination
PA 56
Trip Plan
Given the total duration of under 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a change in primary road is over 84 miles; plan your refueling accordingly before embarking on this segment. The $30 fuel estimate suggests a budget-friendly transit.
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 91.7 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paint, 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 183.5 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 84.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.7 mi from Erie, PA
· 1h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 91.7 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Raymond P Shafer Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.1 miles.
Arriving in Paint, PA
The final approach into Paint, 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 Paint, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 177.2
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 183.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.42 one way
$60.84 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$33.32
$66.64
premium
$4.93
$35.59
$71.17
diesel
$5.61
$40.51
$81.03
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: 64.2 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
55.1
0
$19.27
$8.81
Efficient EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
EV Truck/SUV
73.4
0
$25.69
$11.74
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph83% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Paint, PA
Night
in Paint on Friday
Local time
9:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
1 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 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Paint, PA covers 183.5 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Raymond P Shafer Highway, US 422, PA 56. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.7 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 $30.42 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 19 significant decision points across 183.5 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 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Erie, PA and Paint, PA, road signs point toward New Castle and Johnstown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
