Origin
Altoona, PA
Evening in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, PA to Chadds Ford, PA
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
222.7 mi
358 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chadds Ford, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Traveling from Altoona to Chadds Ford covers 222.7 miles of Pennsylvania territory, requiring approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, you should budget about $36 for fuel to complete the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will traverse the Northeast region entirely within state lines, moving from the heart of Pennsylvania toward its southeastern corner. Expect a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you navigate local roads rather than high-speed interstates. This route is ideal if you prefer backroads over the monotony of major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.3 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over interstate efficiency, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating a turn-heavy path along Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 7th Avenue. Because there is no extended highway cruising, your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 0 miles on Lexington Avenue. This creates a technical, engaging experience where you must stay alert for frequent turns and road transitions. Unlike a typical highway grind, this journey requires constant engagement with the steering wheel as you wind through the Pennsylvania landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lexington Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, PA to Chadds Ford, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 7th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 17th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 99 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pittsburgh | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 220 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Business 220 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Lexington Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Chadds Ford, PA.
1
Start on 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
7th Street
2
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
256 ft
·
17 sec
·
Lexington Avenue
3
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
8th Street
4
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn left onto 17th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
7
Merge slight left
32 mi
·
34 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight right to continue on US 220 Business South: Bedford
285 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 220 Business South: Bedford
10
Turn slight right onto Business 220
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
13
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
167 mi
·
3 hr
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
15
Keep slight left to continue on PA 100 South: Downingtown
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 100 South: Downingtown
16
Merge slight left onto Pottstown Pike
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Pottstown Pike
17
Merge slight left
3.4 mi
·
4 min
18
Keep slight left
4.9 mi
·
8 min
19
Turn right onto Baltimore Pike
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Baltimore Pike
20
Turn left onto Creek Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Creek Road
21
Turn right onto Mill Road
371 ft
·
14 sec
·
Mill Road
22
Turn right onto Station Way Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Station Way Road
23
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 16-minute drive relies exclusively on local roads, planning for at least one substantial stop is essential to maintain your focus. Check your tire pressure and fluid levels before departing Altoona, as the technical nature of these turns puts more demand on your vehicle than a standard highway route. Aim to leave during daylight hours to better navigate the frequent turns on 8th Street and 7th Avenue, which can be challenging to follow after dark. Keep your $36 fuel budget handy, but consider carrying a bit extra to account for the stop-and-go nature of local road driving. Use your one planned stop as an opportunity to stretch your legs and reset, as the lack of long highway stretches can make the journey feel more taxing than the mileage suggests.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.3 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chadds Ford, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, PA
This is one driving day of about 222.7 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Altoona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.3 mi from Altoona, PA · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.3 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chadds Ford, PA
The final approach into Chadds Ford, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chadds Ford, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.85 one way
$73.70 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $40.32 | $80.65 |
| premium | $4.92 | $43.15 | $86.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.48 | $98.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.38 | $10.69 |
| Efficient EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.49 | $8.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.18 | $14.25 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Chadds Ford, PA
Evening in Chadds Ford on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, PA to Chadds Ford, PA covers 222.7 miles and takes about 4h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, 7th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.3 miles from Altoona, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 16m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, PA to Chadds Ford, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Altoona, PA to Chadds Ford, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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