How far is California, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from California, PA to Erie, PA is about 173.9 miles (279.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (230 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between California and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California and Erie.
-
1
Start on 4th Street
159 m · 20 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto Spring Way
115 m · 18 sec · Spring Way
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3
Turn left onto 3rd Street
3076 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street
-
4
Take the ramp right
1289 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Mon/Fayette Expressway
15.5 mi · 17 min · Mon/Fayette Expressway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward West Elizabeth, Finleyville
2190 ft · 59 sec
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7
Turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road
2502 ft · 51 sec · Finleyville Elrama Road
-
8
Turn right onto McChain Road
21 m · 2 sec · McChain Road
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9
Keep slight left to continue on McChain Road
1.7 mi · 4 min · McChain Road
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10
Turn straight onto Brownsville Road Extension
3.9 mi · 8 min · Brownsville Road Extension
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Brownsville Road
2853 ft · 1 min · Brownsville Road
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12
Turn left onto Brownsville Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Brownsville Road
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13
Continue on Provost Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Provost Road
-
14
Continue on Provost Road
62 m · 8 sec · Provost Road
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15
Turn left onto Saw Mill Run Boulevard
1607 ft · 48 sec · Saw Mill Run Boulevard
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16
Continue on Saw Mill Run Boulevard
2.3 mi · 5 min · Saw Mill Run Boulevard
-
17
Take the exit slight right
569 ft · 15 sec
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18
Continue straight
110 m · 13 sec
-
19
Turn right onto Liberty Tunnels
1.2 mi · 2 min · Liberty Tunnels
-
20
Continue on Liberty Bridge
2835 ft · 60 sec · Liberty Bridge
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21
Take the exit straight toward I 579 North
1101 ft · 27 sec
-
22
Continue on Crosstown Boulevard
2264 ft · 48 sec · Crosstown Boulevard
-
23
Continue on Veterans Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Veterans Bridge
-
24
Continue on Parkway North
11.6 mi · 16 min · Parkway North
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25
Merge slight left
111.2 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
1388 ft · 50 sec
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27
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West 12th Street
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28
Turn left onto State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California and Erie.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Parkway North
Merge slight left
111 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers leaving California and Rain Showers near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California to Erie?
The road trip is about 173.9 miles (279.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Plain Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.4 miles from California and 94.4 miles from Erie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.9 miles (230 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:54 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.10 one way or $54.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers around California and Rain Showers near Erie.
Stop Ideas Near Plain Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plain Grove.
Union Station
Alliance
Greensburg
Latrobe station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California and Erie. Straight-line distance: 142.93 mi (230.03 km).
#1 California
Positioned in Washington County in southwestern Pennsylvania, this borough is situated along the meandering banks of the Monongahela River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.0656300, -79.8917100 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
End: State Street (-80.085094, 42.129207)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.41 | $27.10 | $54.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $29.67 | $59.34 |
| Premium | $5.28 | $32.44 | $64.88 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $40.45 | $80.90 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · Nov 05, 2026