How far is Erie, PA from Donora, PA?

The driving distance from Erie, PA to Donora, PA is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.44 mi
03h 16m
Flight
135.65 mi
218.31 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Erie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.65 mi
Kilometers
218.31 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.44 mi
Kilometers
251.77 km
Drive Time
03h 16m

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 03h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Donora
Thu, Apr 23, 1:56 AM EDT
Return by in Erie
Thu, Apr 23, 5:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Erie
2026-04-22T22:39
Arrive Donora
Thu, Apr 23, 1:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:26 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Erie
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Plain Grove
PA

Township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

From Erie
78.3 mi
01h 38m
To Donora
78.2 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Wednesday

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Erie and Donora.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Erie and Donora.

  1. 1

    Start on State Street

    2318 ft · 2 min · State Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 12th Street

    2 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard

    583 ft · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway

    862 ft · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on Raymond P Shafer Highway

    111.8 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Parkway North

    11.4 mi · 16 min · Parkway North

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 579 South: Veterans Bridge

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Liberty Bridge

    1154 ft · 27 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Liberty Bridge

    2795 ft · 1 min · Liberty Bridge

  10. 10

    Continue on Liberty Tunnels

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Liberty Tunnels

  11. 11

    Continue on West Liberty Avenue

    46 m · 4 sec · West Liberty Avenue

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 51: Uniontown

    719 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Saw Mill Run Boulevard

    2.6 mi · 6 min · Saw Mill Run Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto Fairhaven Road

    532 ft · 15 sec · Fairhaven Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Provost Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Provost Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Brownsville Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Brownsville Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Brownsville Road

    2903 ft · 1 min · Brownsville Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Brownsville Road

    3.9 mi · 8 min · Brownsville Road

  19. 19

    Turn slight left onto McChain Road

    1.8 mi · 4 min · McChain Road

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Finleyville Elrama Road

    2159 ft · 46 sec · Finleyville Elrama Road

  21. 21

    Take the ramp right

    2776 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Mon/Fayette Expressway

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Mon/Fayette Expressway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward Charleroi, Donora

    1460 ft · 36 sec

  24. 24

    Turn sharp left onto Coyle Curtin Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Coyle Curtin Road

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Country Club Road

    2669 ft · 48 sec · Country Club Road

  26. 26

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  27. 27

    Turn right

    2 mi · 3 min

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · McKean Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie and Donora.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Raymond P Shafer Highway
112 mi · 71%
Parkway North
11.4 mi · 7%
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8.17 mi · 5%
Brownsville Road
6.48 mi · 4%
Saw Mill Run Boulevard
2.65 mi · 2%
West 12th Street
2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Raymond P Shafer Highway

Continue on Raymond P Shafer Highway

112 mi · 02h 02m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
135.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plain Grove
01h 38m from Erie
Leave By
10:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Erie and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Donora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Erie to Donora?

The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.8 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Plain Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.3 miles from Erie and 78.2 miles from Donora.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 135.6 miles (218.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.55 one way or $45.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny around Erie and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Donora.

Stop Ideas Near Plain Grove

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Plain Grove, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plain Grove.

RAIL

Union Station

69 mi away
1100 Liberty Avenue
RAIL

Alliance

81 mi away
820 East Main Street
RAIL

Greensburg

97 mi away
Harrison Ave. and Seton Hill Dr.
RAIL

Latrobe station

104 mi away
329 McKinley Ave

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Donora. Straight-line distance: 135.65 mi (218.31 km).

Erie

#1 Erie

The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population95,077
Coordinates42.1292200, -80.0850600
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Donora

#2 Donora

Borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania

Population4,546
Coordinates40.1734000, -79.8575500
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: Erie (-80.08506, 42.12922)
End: Donora (-79.85755, 40.1734)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.52 gal
20.9 L · about $22.55
Round trip
$45.11
11.04 gal · 41.8 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.1 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $22.55 $45.11
Mid-grade $4.60 $25.39 $50.77
Premium $4.95 $27.35 $54.69
Diesel $5.98 $33.01 $66.02

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Erie and Donora. The current time is 22:39:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.