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Trip from North Versailles, PA to Erie, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 47m

Distance

144.7 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 36m ★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown North Versailles, PA, PA

North Versailles, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 144.7-mile drive from North Versailles, PA to Erie, PA takes approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes. Designed as a highway-focused trip, it's well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The primary roads guiding you are I-79, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Mosside Boulevard, with 92% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $24 for this northeastern Pennsylvania excursion. This route offers a direct and efficient way to travel between these two points within the state.

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

72.3 miles from North Versailles, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

About the Cities

Arriving in Erie, PA

Full guide →

Erie is a city of about 100,000 in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is Pennsylvania's only lake port on the Great Lakes (Lake Erie).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 92% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter significant stretches on I-79, including one continuous segment of 105.2 miles, which offers a chance to maintain a consistent speed. The journey involves navigating the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mosside Boulevard before merging onto I-79 for the bulk of your travel. This setup generally translates to a straightforward driving experience with limited interaction with local traffic for extended periods.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 7.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 144.7 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 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 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.

8
7.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: Ohio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 76 West: Ohio
8
35.4 mi into trip | ~44m 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
36 mi into trip | ~45m 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
141.7 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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
144.3 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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 North Versailles, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.

Pittsburgh

35.4 mi in | ~44m

Warrendale

35.4 mi in | ~44m

Cranberry

35.4 mi in | ~44m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 79 105.2 mi 1h 53m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 27.7 mi 29m
Mosside Boulevard 5.3 mi 8m
West 12th Street 2.3 mi 4m
Lincoln Highway 1.6 mi 3m
State Street 0.4 mi 1m
Greensburg Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Graham Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 79 — 105.2 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Versailles, PA and Erie, PA.

1

Start on Peach

61 ft · 8 sec · Peach
2

Turn left onto Graham Avenue

186 ft · 12 sec · Graham Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 30

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Greensburg Avenue
4

Continue on US 30

1.6 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Highway
5

Turn left onto PA 48; Orange Belt

5.3 mi · 8 min · Mosside Boulevard
6

Turn right onto Daugherty Drive

183 ft · 12 sec · Daugherty Drive
7

Turn right

421 ft · 36 sec
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 76 West: Ohio Use the straight lane.
10

Merge onto I 76; PATP

28 mi · 29 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 28 Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 79

105 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Exit 183A Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
16

Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290

2.3 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left onto State Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · State Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

State Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, this trip is ideal for a morning departure, allowing you ample time to explore Erie upon arrival. You'll encounter only one recommended stop point, so plan your breaks strategically. The estimated fuel cost of $24 makes budgeting straightforward. Keep in mind the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 100 miles on I-79, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration on the highway before you set out. This route prioritizes efficiency, so you can be flexible with your timing.

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 72.3 miles from North Versailles, PA, or about 1h 25m 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 32 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.3 miles or 1h 25m 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 15m

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 North Versailles, 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 North Versailles, PA

This is one driving day of about 144.7 miles and 2h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from North Versailles, 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 72.3 mi from North Versailles, PA · 1h 25m into the drive

borough in counties Lawrence, and Beaver, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ellwood City, PA

72 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.

Popular next leg

Ellwood City, PA to Erie, PA

100.4 mi · 1h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

McKees Rocks, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellwood City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.3 miles from North Versailles, 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 105.2 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.99 one way

$47.98 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $26.27 $52.55
premium $4.93 $28.06 $56.13
diesel $5.61 $31.95 $63.90

Estimated Tolls: $3.61

Pennsylvania Turnpike (27.7 mi) $3.61

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

$24

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.19 $6.95
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.66 $5.79
EV Truck/SUV 57.9 0 $20.26 $9.26

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

North Versailles, PA

Late night in North Versailles on Saturday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Erie, PA

Late night in Erie on Saturday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 10 mph 93% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

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

6 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 47m 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 North Versailles, PA to Erie, PA covers 144.7 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 79, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Mosside Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.3 miles from North Versailles, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.99 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 144.7 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 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between North Versailles, PA and Erie, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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