This 164.6-mile drive from Maple Glen, PA, to Erie, PA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll spend about 86% of your time on major highways, primarily utilizing I-79, the Mon/Fayette Expressway, and Parkway North. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this route is an economical option for a quick trip. Given its relatively short duration and highway nature, it's ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, making for a consistent travel experience.
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
82.3 miles from Maple Glen, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 164.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 164.6-mile route, with 86% of your travel occurring on major interstates and expressways. The primary roads guiding you are I-79, the Mon/Fayette Expressway, and Parkway North. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111.2 miles on I-79, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover ground quickly with minimal distractions from local traffic or winding roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 111.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,465 ft653 ft
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
1,192 ft
Highest Point
1,465 ft
~141.1 mi in
Elevation Range
813 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and Mon/Fayette Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.2 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 164.6 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 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
22.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
6
28.7 mi into trip|~40m in|Brownsville Road
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
29.3 mi into trip|~41m in|Brownsville Road
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
164.2 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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 Maple Glen, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
Elizabeth
22.2 mi in|~26m
Finleyville
22.2 mi in|~26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 79
111.2 mi
2h
Mon/Fayette Expressway
18.6 mi
19m
Parkway North
11.6 mi
16m
Brownsville Road Extension
3.9 mi
7m
Low Hill Road
2.7 mi
4m
Brownsville Road
2.6 mi
4m
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
2.6 mi
5m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 111.2 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Glen, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto PA 88
2.7 mi·4 min·Low Hill Road
3
Turn left onto PA 88
0.9 mi·1 min·PA 88
4
Merge onto PA Tpke 43; PA 88
19 mi·19 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Exit 48Toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
6
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
0.5 mi·51 sec·Finleyville Elrama Road
7
Turn right onto McChain Road
70 ft·1 sec·McChain Road
8
Keep slight left at fork onto McChain Road
1.7 mi·4 min·McChain Road
9
Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension
3.9 mi·7 min·Brownsville Road Extension
10
At end of road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Brownsville Road
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Brownsville Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Provost Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Provost Road
13
Continue on Provost Road
202 ft·7 sec·Provost Road
14
Turn left onto PA 51
0.3 mi·48 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 51; Blue Belt
2.3 mi·5 min·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on this road
361 ft·12 sec·this road
18
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
1.2 mi·2 min·Liberty Tunnels
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on Liberty Bridge
0.5 mi·59 sec·Liberty Bridge
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 579 North
21
Continue on I 579
0.4 mi·48 sec·Crosstown Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 579
1.1 mi·1 min·Veterans Bridge
23
Continue on I 279
12 mi·16 min·Parkway North
24
Merge onto I 79
111 mi·2 hr·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
26
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 164.6-mile trip from Maple Glen to Erie offers plenty of flexibility. You could depart mid-morning and still arrive with ample daylight. Plan for one main stop to break up the 111.2-mile stretch on I-79. Given the highway-centric nature, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Maple Glen, as opportunities for services might be more spaced out on the expressways. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is quite manageable, so budget accordingly.
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 82.3 miles from Maple Glen, PA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 80 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 48m
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 Maple Glen, 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 Maple Glen, PA
This is one driving day of about 164.6 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maple Glen, 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 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.3 mi from Maple Glen, PA
· 1h 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 82.3 miles from Maple Glen, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 miles.
Arriving in Erie, PA
The final approach into Erie, 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 Erie, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 5.7
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.4
0
$17.28
$7.90
Efficient EV
41.2
0
$14.40
$6.58
EV Truck/SUV
65.8
0
$23.04
$10.53
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Maple Glen, PA
Night
in Maple Glen on Friday
Local time
11:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Night
in Erie on Friday
Local time
11:20 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
44°F
Mina, NY
82 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
17 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 24m 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 Maple Glen, PA to Erie, PA covers 164.6 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, Mon/Fayette Expressway, Parkway North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.3 miles from Maple Glen, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.29 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 17 significant decision points across 164.6 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 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (Brownsville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Maple Glen, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Elizabeth and Finleyville.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
