How far is Erie, PA from McDonald, PA?
The driving distance from Erie, PA to McDonald, PA is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.7 miles (195.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Erie and McDonald.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie and McDonald.
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1
Start on State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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2
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2 mi · 4 min · West 12th Street
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3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
583 ft · 23 sec · Greengarden Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
862 ft · 20 sec · West Bayfront Parkway
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5
Continue on Raymond P Shafer Highway
111.8 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Washington
10.8 mi · 15 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward PA 60 North: Moon Run
2701 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn straight onto Steubenville Pike
3 mi · 6 min · Steubenville Pike
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9
Continue on Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Orange Belt: Oakdale
833 ft · 28 sec
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11
Continue on McKee Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · McKee Road
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12
Continue on Oakdale Road
1775 ft · 30 sec · Oakdale Road
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13
Continue on Clinton Avenue
2834 ft · 52 sec · Clinton Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Noblestown Road
1341 ft · 43 sec · Noblestown Road
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15
Continue on Noblestown Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Noblestown Road
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16
Continue on Noblestown Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Noblestown Road
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17
Continue on Noblestown Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Noblestown Road
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18
Continue on East Lincoln Avenue
1802 ft · 59 sec · East Lincoln Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Fannie Street
146 m · 22 sec · Fannie Street
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20
Turn left onto Sarah Street
139 m · 20 sec · Sarah Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Sarah Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie and McDonald.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Erie and Sunny near McDonald.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Erie to McDonald?
The road trip is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Mercer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.6 miles from Erie and 68.5 miles from McDonald.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.7 miles (195.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.78 one way or $39.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Erie and Sunny near McDonald.
Stop Ideas Near Mercer
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 Mercer.
Alliance
Union Station
Union Station
Greensburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Erie and McDonald. Straight-line distance: 121.74 mi (195.92 km).
#1 Erie
The second most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 95,077 |
| Coordinates | 42.1292200, -80.0850600 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McDonald
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,678 |
| Coordinates | 40.3709000, -80.2347800 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
End: McDonald (-80.23478, 40.3709)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 221 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $19.78 | $39.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $22.26 | $44.52 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $23.98 | $47.95 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $28.94 | $57.89 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.