How far is Waterford, PA from Erie, PA?
The driving distance from Waterford, PA to Erie, PA is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138 miles (222.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Erie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Erie.
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1
Start on Menoher Highway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Menoher Highway
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Ligonier Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Ligonier Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Market Street
104 m · 8 sec · South Market Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto South Market Street
724 ft · 17 sec · South Market Street
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5
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
16.1 mi · 24 min · Lincoln Highway
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6
Continue on East Pittsburgh Street
3106 ft · 1 min · East Pittsburgh Street
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7
Continue on East Pittsburgh Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Pittsburgh Street
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8
Continue on East Otterman Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Otterman Street
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9
Turn straight onto Tollgate Hill Road
3179 ft · 1 min · Tollgate Hill Road
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10
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
5.8 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PATP, I 76
2696 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Pittsburgh
1952 ft · 48 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
38.6 mi · 41 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
1064 ft · 26 sec
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15
Keep slight left
2049 ft · 54 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 79 North: Erie
2892 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
105.2 mi · 1 hr 53 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
1388 ft · 50 sec
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19
Turn right onto West 12th Street
2.3 mi · 5 min · West 12th Street
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20
Turn left onto State Street
2318 ft · 2 min · State Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford 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.
I 79 North
Merge slight left
105 mi · 01h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Waterford and Mostly Sunny near Erie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterford to Erie?
The road trip is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?
Portersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.3 miles from Waterford and 100.2 miles from Erie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138 miles (222.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.5 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 10:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.86 one way or $59.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Waterford and Mostly Sunny near Erie.
Stop Ideas Near Portersville
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 Portersville.
Union Station
Alliance
Greensburg
Latrobe station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Erie. Straight-line distance: 138.03 mi (222.14 km).
#1 Waterford
Situated within the rugged terrain of the Laurel Highlands region of southwestern Pennsylvania, this small unincorporated community lies in Westmoreland County at an elevation of approximately 1,319 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.2545200, -79.1675300 |
| Altitude | 402 |
| 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: 305 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.46 | $29.86 | $59.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $32.95 | $65.90 |
| Premium | $5.31 | $35.49 | $70.98 |
| Diesel | $6.55 | $43.82 | $87.64 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026