Leechburg, PA to Erie, PA is 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 39m via I 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This northeastern Pennsylvania journey is a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll be sticking to well-maintained roads for the majority of the 136.6 miles, with a projected fuel cost of around $23. Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, this route is ideal for those seeking an efficient way to travel between these two points without extensive planning.
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
68.3 miles from Leechburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 136.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 91% of the journey taking place on major roadways. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including a notable 105.2-mile segment on I 79. While the Pennsylvania Turnpike is also part of the route, the overall character is one of efficient travel on well-trafficked highways. You'll experience a consistent driving environment for most of the trip, allowing for a predictable pace and minimal need for navigation adjustments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 105.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 8.1 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 136.6 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 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
8.1 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: Ohio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 West: Ohio
8
27.2 mi into trip|~36m 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
27.8 mi into trip|~37m 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
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
136.1 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leechburg, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
Patp
7.8 mi in|~14m
Pittsburgh
27.2 mi in|~36m
Warrendale
27.2 mi in|~36m
Cranberry
27.2 mi in|~36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
105.2 mi
1h 53m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18.8 mi
20m
Coxcomb Hill Road
2.5 mi
4m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Hulton Road
1.5 mi
2m
Freeport Road
1.4 mi
2m
Leechburg Road
0.6 mi
1m
Shearer Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 105.2 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leechburg, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Orange Belt
53 ft·1 sec·New Texas Road
2
Turn right onto Orange Belt
0.6 mi·1 min·Leechburg Road
3
Continue on Orange Belt
0.4 mi·39 sec·Saltsburg-Leechburg Road
4
Turn left onto Shearer Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Shearer Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Kerr Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Kerr Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto Coxcomb Hill Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Coxcomb Hill Road
7
Continue on Yellow Belt
1.5 mi·2 min·Hulton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on Yellow Belt
0.3 mi·45 sec·Hulton Bridge
9
Turn right onto Yellow Belt
1.4 mi·2 min·Freeport Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward PATP
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 76 West: OhioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 76; PATP
19 mi·20 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 28Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, CranberryUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: ErieUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 79
105 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
18
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under three hours, you have a lot of flexibility for departure. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Erie, PA, and the total distance of 136.6 miles means you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 105.2-mile stretch on I 79 with a brief rest to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $23 estimated cost suggests a relatively efficient run, but it's always wise to be prepared.
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 68.3 miles from Leechburg, PA, or about 1h 21m 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 9m
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 Leechburg, 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 Leechburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 136.6 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Leechburg, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.3 mi from Leechburg, PA
· 1h 21m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.65 one way
$45.29 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$24.80
$49.61
premium
$4.93
$26.49
$52.98
diesel
$5.61
$30.16
$60.32
Estimated Tolls: $2.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(18.8 mi)$2.44
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
$23
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.8 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
41
0
$14.34
$6.56
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.95
$5.46
EV Truck/SUV
54.6
0
$19.12
$8.74
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 18, 2026
Origin
Leechburg, PA
Late night
in Leechburg on Saturday
Local time
2:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
2:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Patchy Fog
SE 2 to 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 39m 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 Leechburg, PA to Erie, PA covers 136.6 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Coxcomb Hill Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.3 miles from Leechburg, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.65 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.
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 15 significant decision points across 136.6 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 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Leechburg, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
