Origin
Altoona, PA
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, PA to Charlestown, PA
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlestown, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
The drive from Altoona, PA to Charlestown, PA covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 99, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.1 miles on I 99. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 1h 43m highway drive covering 78.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 99 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 32.1 miles on I 99.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 99 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lexington Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 78.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lexington Avenue
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
35.1 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
6
36.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington...
8
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
Towns Along This Route
Between Altoona, PA and Charlestown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington and Gettysburg.
Pittsburgh
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Harrisburg
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Patp: Pittsburgh
36.2 mi in
|
~42m
Baltimore
52.3 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 70
Washington
52.3 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 70
Gettysburg
54.2 mi in
|
~1h 3m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Lincoln Highway | 15 mi | 21m |
| Buchanan Trail | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| Lincoln Way West | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| I 70 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| 17th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Charlestown, PA.
1
Start on 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
7th Street
2
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
257 ft
·
16 sec
·
Lexington Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
8th Street
4
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn left onto 17th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 99; US 220
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
10
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit onto I 70
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 30
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Turn left onto Lincoln Way West
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way West
18
Turn slight right onto PA 16
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Buchanan Trail
19
Arrive at destination
PA 16
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.4 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 miles.
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 78.8 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charlestown, 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 78.8 miles and 1h 43m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 99 for about 32.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Altoona, PA · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Charlestown, PA
The final approach into Charlestown, 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 Charlestown, 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
$13.04 one way
$26.08 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $14.27 | $28.54 |
| premium | $4.92 | $15.27 | $30.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.51 | $35.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(15.5 mi)
$2.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Charlestown, PA
Afternoon in Charlestown on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
51°F
Cuba, NY
39 mi in
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
1h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Charlestown, PA covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 99, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lincoln Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 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 $13.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 78.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Altoona, PA and Charlestown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington and Gettysburg.
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