Trip from Altoona, PA to Palmer, PA

Drive Time

2h 55m

Distance

124.9 mi

201 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m

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

Downtown Palmer, PA, PA

Palmer, PA

Nothing Ahead

Trip Overview

Spanning 124.9 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Altoona to Palmer is a manageable journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an efficient choice for those looking to traverse the Northeast region without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $21 for fuel, which keeps the trip cost-effective. By utilizing a combination of the William Penn Highway, US 22, and the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass, you will navigate through the heart of the state. It is a straightforward route, perfect for travelers who prefer a direct path over a multi-day excursion.

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

62.5 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend about 25% of your time on highways, the experience is far from a monotonous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 34.2 miles on the William Penn Highway, offering a brief period of consistency before the road transitions back to more technical segments. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, the drive feels dynamic and requires steady focus rather than mindless highway driving. You will find that the road's personality changes frequently, keeping the trip engaging from start to finish.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
William Penn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 34.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 124.9 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 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 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.
7
6.5 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 toward US 22 West: Ebensburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
7
70.9 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont

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 PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont
8
71.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward PA 66 South: Greensburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
7
71.2 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in | PA 66 / State Route 66

Merge onto PA 66 / State Route 66 toward PA 66 South: Greensburg

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Altoona, PA to Palmer, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Delmont along the way.

Delmont

70.9 mi in | ~1h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
William Penn Highway 34.2 mi 47m
US 22 30.5 mi 39m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass 12.5 mi 13m
University Drive 10.7 mi 12m
Amos K Hutchinson Bypass 8.5 mi 10m
Memorial Boulevard 7.9 mi 9m
McClellandtown Road 6.9 mi 12m
6th Avenue 3.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 34.2 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Palmer, 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

1.8 mi · 2 min · 7th Avenue
5

Continue on PA 764

3.6 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
7

Continue on US 22

0.3 mi · 21 sec · US 22
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 22

30 mi · 39 min · US 22
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on US 22

34 mi · 47 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

417 ft · 16 sec
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto PA 66

0.9 mi · 1 min · State Route 66
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg Use the left lane.
13

Continue on PA Tpke 66

12 mi · 13 min · Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
14

Continue on US 119

8.5 mi · 10 min · Amos K Hutchinson Bypass
15

Continue on US 119

7.9 mi · 9 min · Memorial Boulevard
16

Turn straight onto US 119

0.6 mi · 39 sec · Blackstone Road
17

Merge onto US 119

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Morrell Avenue
18

Turn slight right onto US 119

11 mi · 12 min · University Drive
Use the none lane.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 21 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

162 ft · 7 sec
21

Turn left onto PA 21

6.9 mi · 12 min · McClellandtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn right onto Main Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Main Street
23

Turn right onto High Street

428 ft · 21 sec · High Street
24

Continue on Corob Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Corob Street
25

Turn right onto PA 166

166 ft · 3 sec · Edenborn Road
26

Continue on PA 166

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ball Hill Road
27

Turn left onto Sr3013

0.4 mi · 1 min · Sr3013
28

Continue on Palmer Road

0.7 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road
29

Turn right onto Croushore Road

1.6 mi · 6 min · Croushore Road
30

Turn right onto Tank Hill Road

199 ft · 8 sec · Tank Hill Road
31

Arrive at destination

Tank Hill Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one planned stop, which is plenty to stretch your legs and refresh during the three-hour drive. Because the route involves significant local road travel, try to avoid peak traffic hours to ensure your time behind the wheel remains smooth. Make sure to keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Altoona, as the winding nature of the roads can sometimes affect consumption. My best tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools handy for the local segments, as the transition between the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass and smaller roads can be subtle.

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 62.5 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.2 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 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmer, 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 124.9 miles and 2h 55m.

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 William Penn Highway for about 34.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.5 mi from Altoona, PA · 1h 26m into the drive

Downtown Lakewood, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakewood, NY

62 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

Lakewood, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Lakewood, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.5 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Palmer, PA

The final approach into Palmer, 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 Palmer, 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

$20.67 one way

$41.34 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $22.61 $45.23
premium $4.92 $24.20 $48.41
diesel $5.64 $27.75 $55.50

Estimated Tolls: $0.87

Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass (12.5 mi) $0.87

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

$21

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.5 0 $13.11 $6.00
Efficient EV 31.2 0 $10.93 $5.00
EV Truck/SUV 50 0 $17.49 $7.99

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Altoona, PA

Evening in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

7:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Palmer, PA

Evening in Palmer on Sunday

Local time

7:22 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

53°F

Lakewood, NY

62 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

15 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

2h 55m 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 Palmer, PA covers 124.9 miles and takes about 2h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, US 22, Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.5 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 $20.67 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 19 significant decision points across 124.9 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 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Altoona, PA to Palmer, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Delmont along the way.

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Return Trip

Palmer, PA to Altoona, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

128.1 mi 2h 56m

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

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