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Create accountDrive Time
4h 20m
Distance
207.8 mi
334 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Carmel, PA
K6
The drive from Mount Carmel, PA to Erie, PA covers 207.8 miles and takes about 4h 20m 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, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, USS West Virginia Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145 miles on Raymond P Shafer Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
103.9 miles from Mount Carmel, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 20m drive with frequent turns across 207.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near CR 98 / Woodruff Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (CR 98 / Woodruff Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 59.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto CR 98 / Woodruff Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Take the exit toward I 79 North: Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 145 mi | 2h 46m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| USS West Virginia Memorial Highway | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Waynesburg Pike Road | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Dragon Highway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| Fairmont Pike Road | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Woodruff Road | 2 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Carmel, PA and Erie, PA.
Start on T377
Continue on CR 250/32
Turn right onto CH 250/10
Continue on CH 98/4
Turn sharp left onto CR 98
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 98
At end of road, turn right onto US 250
Turn left onto US 250
Turn right onto WV 88
Continue on WV 88
Turn left onto West Bethlehem Boulevard
Continue on CR 91/1
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 470
Continue on I 70
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on I 79
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
Turn left onto State Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.9 miles or 2h 17m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Mount Carmel, 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 Mount Carmel, PA
This is one driving day of about 207.8 miles and 4h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.9 mi from Mount Carmel, PA · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 103.9 miles from Mount Carmel, 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 145 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$34.39 one way
$68.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $37.62 | $75.25 |
| premium | $4.92 | $40.27 | $80.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.17 | $92.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.82 | $9.97 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.09 | $13.30 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Mount Carmel on Sunday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Erie on Sunday
Local time
8:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Partly Cloudy
Along the Route
52°F
Mina, NY
104 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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