The drive from Erie, PA to Saint Clair, PA covers 130.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Raymond P Shafer Highway, Parkway North, West 12th Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.8 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
65 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 130.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 34m drive with frequent turns across 130.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 111.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 130.1 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 114.5 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
114.5 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 279 / Parkway North
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279 / Parkway North toward I 279: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 72
Toward I 279: Pittsburgh
7
125.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 579
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579 toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 579 South: Veterans Bridge
7
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th Avenue
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Raymond P Shafer Highway
111.8 mi
2h 1m
Parkway North
11.4 mi
15m
West 12th Street
2 mi
4m
I 579
0.9 mi
1m
South 18th Street
0.5 mi
<1m
State Street
0.4 mi
1m
East Carson Street
0.4 mi
1m
South 10th Street Bridge
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Raymond P Shafer Highway
— 111.8 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Saint Clair, 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
112 mi·2 hr 1 min·Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 279
11 mi·15 min·Parkway North
Exit 72Toward I 279: PittsburghUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 579
0.9 mi·1 min·I 579
Toward I 579 South: Veterans BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward 7th Avenue, 6th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
502 ft·14 sec
Toward PPG Arena, 6th Avenue
10
Turn straight onto Bigelow Boulevard
224 ft·3 sec·Bigelow Boulevard
11
Continue on Bigelow Square
497 ft·15 sec·Bigelow Square
Toward 6th AvenueUse the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn left onto Sixth Avenue
0.2 mi·29 sec·Sixth Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Forbes Avenue
0.1 mi·13 sec·Forbes Avenue
14
Turn right onto Armstrong Tunnel
0.3 mi·31 sec·Armstrong Tunnel
15
Continue on South 10th Street Bridge
0.4 mi·54 sec·South 10th Street Bridge
16
Turn left onto PA 837
0.4 mi·1 min·East Carson Street
17
Turn right onto South 18th Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·South 18th Street
18
Turn left onto Mission Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·Mission Street
19
Turn right onto Sterling Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Sterling Street
20
Continue on Wellington Street
443 ft·20 sec·Wellington Street
21
Turn right onto Eleanor Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Eleanor Street
22
Turn left onto Charcot Street
435 ft·21 sec·Charcot Street
23
Turn right onto Clover Street
136 ft·6 sec·Clover Street
24
Arrive at destination
Clover Street
Trip Plan
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 65 miles from Erie, PA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.8 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Clair, 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 130.1 miles and 2h 34m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Raymond P Shafer Highway for about 111.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.57 one way
$43.14 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.62
$47.25
premium
$4.93
$25.23
$50.46
diesel
$5.61
$28.72
$57.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 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
$13.66
$6.24
Efficient EV
32.5
0
$11.38
$5.20
EV Truck/SUV
52
0
$18.21
$8.33
Gas CO2
46 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Erie, PA
Late night
in Erie on Saturday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Clair, PA
Late night
in Saint Clair on Saturday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph45% 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
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
24 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 34m 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 Saint Clair, PA covers 130.1 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Raymond P Shafer Highway, Parkway North, West 12th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65 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 $21.57 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 18 significant decision points across 130.1 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 114.5 miles (I 279 / Parkway North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Erie, PA to Saint Clair, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
