Trip from Altoona, PA to Damascus, PA

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

236.8 mi

381 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 38m ★

6 AM

4h 52m

8 AM

5h 18m

10 AM

5h 1m

12 PM

4h 58m

3 PM

5h 2m

5 PM

5h 17m

8 PM

4h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

Traveling from Altoona to Damascus covers 236.8 miles across Pennsylvania, making for a manageable one-day journey that clocks in at approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-99, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81, moving through the Northeast region of the state. With a total fuel budget of about $39, this trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. Because the duration is under five hours, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without the need for an overnight stay. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path between these two points.

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

118.4 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing efficient interstate travel with more varied road conditions. You will spend roughly 38% of your time on highways, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Keystone Shortway, where you can cover 99.3 miles without needing to change your route. As you transition between I-99 and I-81, expect the road personality to shift from faster, high-capacity lanes to sections that require a bit more attention. It is a functional drive that trades constant scenery for steady progress toward your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 99.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 21 significant decision points across 236.8 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 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lexington Avenue

Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone

37.3 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 99; US 220; US 322

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

41.2 mi into trip | ~48m in | I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

53.6 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	99.3 mi	1h 47m
I 99	46.9 mi	52m
I 81	34.7 mi	42m
Governor Robert P. Casey Highway	15.4 mi	18m
Roosevelt Highway	11.3 mi	20m
Hancock Highway	9.2 mi	13m
Cochecton Turnpike	9 mi	15m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard	2.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Damascus, PA.

Start on 7th Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 7th Street

Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

257 ft · 16 sec · Lexington Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 8th Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · 8th Street

Turn left onto PA 764

1.6 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue

Turn right onto Greenwood Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Greenwood Road

Turn left onto PA 764

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Walton Avenue

Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Pleasant Valley Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 764

0.6 mi · 1 min · Sabbath Rest Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone

Merge onto I 99; US 220

31 mi · 32 min · I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220; US 322

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

12 mi · 14 min · I 99; US 220

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 80; US 220

99 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 260B Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre

Merge onto I 81

35 mi · 42 min · I 81

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward I-84 east, US 6 east

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 44 sec

Toward US 6 East: Carbondale

Continue on US 6

15 mi · 18 min · Governor Robert P. Casey Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 6

11 mi · 20 min · Roosevelt Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 6

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Park Street

Turn left onto PA 191

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on PA 191

0.7 mi · 1 min · Fair Avenue

Continue on PA 191

9.2 mi · 13 min · Hancock Highway

Turn right onto PA 371

9.0 mi · 15 min · Cochecton Turnpike

Turn right onto River Road

130 ft · 5 sec · River Road

Arrive at destination

River Road

Trip Plan

Planning your departure for early in the morning is your best strategy to maintain a steady pace across the 236.8-mile distance. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $39 budget in mind for the total trip. Be particularly mindful of the transition between the Keystone Shortway and I-81, as traffic patterns can fluctuate significantly on these major arteries. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since the drive is under five hours, you have the freedom to adjust your departure time based on local weather or traffic reports. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to ensure you don't need to exit prematurely.

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 118.4 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 118.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Damascus, 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 236.8 miles and 4h 51m.

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.

The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 99.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 118.4 mi from Altoona, PA · 2h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Syracuse, NY

118 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

Corning, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.4 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.

Arriving in Damascus, PA

The final approach into Damascus, 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 Damascus, 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

$39.18 one way

$78.37 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$42.88	$85.75
premium	$4.92	$45.89	$91.77
diesel	$5.64	$52.61	$105.22

Estimated Tolls: $0.63

Cochecton Turnpike (9 mi) $0.63

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

$39

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71	0	$24.86	$11.37
Efficient EV	59.2	0	$20.72	$9.47
EV Truck/SUV	94.7	1	$33.15	$15.16

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Altoona, PA

Evening in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

6:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Damascus, PA

Evening in Damascus on Sunday

Local time

6:07 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 51m 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 Damascus, PA covers 236.8 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 99, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 118.4 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 $39.18 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.

The route from Altoona, PA to Damascus, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Altoona, PA

Philadelphia, PA 237.3 mi · 3h 41m North Wales, PA 234 mi · 4h 26m Wyndmoor, PA 231.9 mi · 4h 23m Norwood, PA 231.9 mi · 4h 35m Fairview, PA 230.7 mi · 4h 32m Lawrence Park, PA 222.7 mi · 4h 19m

Explore more options from Altoona, PA or browse trips ending in Damascus, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Explore maps for Altoona, PA or Damascus, PA on MapSof.net.