The drive from Altoona, PA to Gettysburg, PA covers 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 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, Lincoln Highway, Lincoln Way West for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.1 miles on I 99.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.55 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 117.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Altoona, PA to Gettysburg, PA covers 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 43m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 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 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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 117.9 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.3 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These 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.
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
6
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116 / Lincoln Square
Enter roundabout onto US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116 / Lincoln Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Altoona, PA and Gettysburg, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington.
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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Lincoln Highway
20.7 mi
29m
Lincoln Way West
17.2 mi
25m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
15.5 mi
16m
Chambersburg Road
13.4 mi
20m
Lincoln Way East
10.1 mi
16m
I 70
1.9 mi
3m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Gettysburg, 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
14
Take the exit onto I 70
1.9 mi·3 min·I 70
Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DCUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·47 sec
Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, GettysburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 30
21 mi·29 min·Lincoln Highway
17
Continue on US 30
17 mi·25 min·Lincoln Way West
18
Continue on US 30
0.7 mi·1 min·West Loudon Street
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 30
0.7 mi·1 min·West Queen Street
20
Merge onto US 30
10 mi·16 min·Lincoln Way East
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 30
13 mi·20 min·Chambersburg Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 30
0.5 mi·1 min·Buford Avenue
23
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·58 sec·Chambersburg Street
24
Enter roundabout onto US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116
237 ft·8 sec·Lincoln Square
25
Arrive at destination
US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 11m 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 26 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gettysburg, 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 117.9 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 I 99 for about 32.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59 mi from Altoona, PA
· 1h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gettysburg, PA
The final approach into Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 20.3
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 32.5
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 109.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.55 one way
$39.09 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.41
$42.82
premium
$4.93
$22.87
$45.73
diesel
$5.61
$26.03
$52.06
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
$20
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.4
0
$12.38
$5.66
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.32
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.51
$7.55
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Night
in Altoona on Thursday
Local time
9:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gettysburg, PA
Night
in Gettysburg on Thursday
Local time
9:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
37 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
2h 43m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Gettysburg, PA covers 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 99, Lincoln Highway, Lincoln Way West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59 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 $19.55 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 117.9 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.3 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Altoona, PA and Gettysburg, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Washington.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.
