Origin
Saxonburg, PA
Evening in Saxonburg on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saxonburg, PA to Erie, PA
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
112.5 mi
181 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saxonburg, PA
Christiyana Krüger
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Saxonburg to Erie, you are looking at a straightforward 112.5-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes. Since this trip is well within the range for a single day, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly trek across Pennsylvania. You will primarily navigate via I-79, Freeport Road, and New Castle Road as you head north. This route serves as a practical connection between the two areas, providing a direct link for travelers looking to reach the lakeside city efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.3 miles from Saxonburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 75% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-79, which accounts for the longest stretch of your journey at 83.6 miles. While the interstate segments offer a fast-paced experience, your transition onto local roads like Freeport Road and New Castle Road adds variety to the drive. The personality of the route is defined by these long, uninterrupted highway miles that allow you to cover ground quickly. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 83.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 79 and New Castle Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.3 miles in near PA 68 / East Jefferson Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.3 miles (PA 68 / East Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
PA 68 / East Jefferson Street
Turn left onto PA 68 / East Jefferson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
25.9 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
109.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
5
109.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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 / right lanes.
6
112.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 79 | 83.6 mi | 1h 29m |
| New Castle Road | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Freeport Road | 5 mi | 7m |
| West 12th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Pike Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Neupert Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Center Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Benjamin Franklin Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 79
— 83.6 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saxonburg, PA and Erie, PA.
1
Start on Water Street
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Water Street
2
Continue on Neupert Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Neupert Road
3
Turn left onto PA 356
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pike Road
4
Continue on PA 356
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Freeport Road
5
Turn right onto PA 356
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Avenue
6
Turn slight right onto PA 356
269 ft
·
4 sec
·
Fairview Avenue
7
Continue on PA 356
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Wayne Street
8
Turn right onto South McKean Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South McKean Street
9
Turn left onto PA 68
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jefferson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn slight right onto PA 68; PA 356
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Cunningham Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 68; PA 356
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
New Castle Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right
204 ft
·
3 sec
Toward US 422
13
Continue on PA 356
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
PA 356
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
15
Merge onto US 422
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Benjamin Franklin Highway
16
Continue on US 422
11 mi
·
14 min
·
New Castle Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 79 North: Erie
18
Merge onto I 79
84 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 79
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
20
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid potential traffic fluctuations. Because there are no mandatory stops included in this 2-hour and 16-minute itinerary, you can easily manage the drive without a formal break if you prefer to push through. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before merging onto the 83.6-mile stretch of I-79 to ensure you have enough gas for the longest portion of the route. Use your time wisely by checking local traffic reports for I-79 before you leave Saxonburg, as this will be the most critical segment of your journey. Having this clear plan ensures you spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.3 miles from Saxonburg, PA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.3 miles or 1h 12m 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 51m
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 Saxonburg, 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 Saxonburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 112.5 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saxonburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 79 for about 83.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.3 mi from Saxonburg, PA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.3 miles from Saxonburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.6 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.62 one way
$37.23 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $20.37 | $40.74 |
| premium | $4.92 | $21.80 | $43.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.99 | $49.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.81 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Erie, PA
Evening in Erie on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Mina, NY
56 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
27 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 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Saxonburg, PA to Erie, PA covers 112.5 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 79, New Castle Road, Freeport 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 56.3 miles from Saxonburg, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.62 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.3 miles (PA 68 / East Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Saxonburg, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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