How far is McDonald, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from McDonald, PA to Erie, PA is about 141.1 miles (227 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.7 miles (195.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 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 16m.
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 McDonald and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McDonald and Erie.
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1
Start on Sarah Street
806 ft · 37 sec · Sarah Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Center Avenue
85 m · 19 sec · Center Avenue
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3
Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue
1407 ft · 43 sec · East Lincoln Avenue
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4
Continue on Noblestown Road
2.1 mi · 5 min · Noblestown Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Noblestown Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Noblestown Road
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6
Continue on Noblestown Road
1341 ft · 44 sec · Noblestown Road
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Clinton Avenue
2834 ft · 48 sec · Clinton Avenue
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8
Continue on Oakdale Road
1775 ft · 30 sec · Oakdale Road
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9
Continue on McKee Road
2 mi · 3 min · McKee Road
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10
Take the ramp slight right toward US 22 East, US 30 East, Orange Belt: Pittsburgh
1134 ft · 30 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
1.1 mi · 2 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
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12
Continue on Steubenville Pike
3.2 mi · 6 min · Steubenville Pike
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13
Continue on Steubenville Pike
1896 ft · 41 sec · Steubenville Pike
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14
Turn left onto I 79 North
1808 ft · 44 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Raymond P Shafer Highway
122.4 mi · 2 hr 16 min · Raymond P Shafer Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
1388 ft · 50 sec
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17
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West 12th Street
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18
Turn left onto State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McDonald 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.
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Merge slight left onto Raymond P Shafer Highway
122 mi · 02h 16m
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 McDonald and Sunny near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McDonald to Erie?
The road trip is about 141.1 miles (227 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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 McDonald and 72.5 miles from Erie.
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 19.4 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 1:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.35 one way or $40.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McDonald and Sunny near Erie.
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 McDonald and Erie. Straight-line distance: 121.74 mi (195.92 km).
#1 McDonald
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,678 |
| Coordinates | 40.3709000, -80.2347800 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| 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: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $20.35 | $40.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $22.90 | $45.81 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $24.67 | $49.34 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $29.78 | $59.56 |
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.