Origin
Altoona, PA
Night in Altoona on Wednesday
Local time
11:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, PA to West Penn, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
174.4 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Penn, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Altoona to West Penn, PA, expect a 174.4-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Because this route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstates, it is best suited for a single-day commitment. You should budget about $29 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Northeast, you will find this path offers a direct, if slower, alternative to major highways. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a weekend schedule, allowing you to arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
87.2 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Since this route features a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 3-hour and 28-minute duration navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds. You will primarily follow Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 6th Avenue throughout the transit. Unlike the monotonous pace of a major interstate, this journey requires constant engagement with changing road conditions. Expect a technical experience that keeps you focused on the path ahead as you transition between these specific local thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 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 95.3 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 174.4 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 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.
6
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
6
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.
6
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
7
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
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 West Penn, PA, road signs point toward Nescopeck and Tamaqua.
Nescopeck
149.1 mi in
|
~2h 47m
Tamaqua
161.6 mi in
|
~3h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 95.3 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 99 | 46.9 mi | 52m |
| I 81 | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Claremont Avenue | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| State Route 93 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Clamtown Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West Penn Pike | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.3 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and West Penn, 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
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
8th Street
4
Turn left onto PA 764
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Avenue
5
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
6
Turn left onto PA 764
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
8
Turn right onto PA 764
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Sabbath Rest Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone
10
Merge onto I 99; US 220
31 mi
·
32 min
·
I 99; US 220
11
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.
12
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
13
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
95 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
16
Keep slight right at fork
444 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 93
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
18
Continue on PA 93
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 93
19
Turn right onto Tomhicken Road
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Tomhicken Road
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
21
Merge onto I 81
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
I 81
22
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Toward PA 309: McAdoo, Tamaqua
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
24
Merge onto PA 309
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile Hill Road
25
Continue on PA 309
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Claremont Avenue
26
Continue on PA 309
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Street
27
Continue on PA 309
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Penn Pike
28
Turn right onto PA 443
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Clamtown Road
29
Arrive at destination
PA 443
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 174.4-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy, as local roads can be unpredictable and require more active driving than highway travel. Keep your $29 fuel budget in mind, but ensure you have a little extra set aside for any unexpected detours or idling in local traffic. Since you are staying off the highways for the entire duration, be prepared for a slower pace that prioritizes local navigation over speed. Use your single scheduled stop to refresh, as the technical nature of these local roads can be more fatiguing than a standard interstate cruise.
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 87.2 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.3 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Penn, 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 174.4 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 95.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.2 mi from Altoona, PA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.2 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.3 miles.
Arriving in West Penn, PA
The final approach into West Penn, 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 West Penn, 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
$28.91 one way
$57.83 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.67 | $63.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $33.82 | $67.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.51 | $77.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.31 | $8.37 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.26 | $6.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.42 | $11.16 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
West Penn, PA
Night in West Penn on Wednesday
Local time
11:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Carroll, PA
87 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
6 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
3h 28m 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 West Penn, PA covers 174.4 miles and takes about 3h 28m 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 87.2 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 $28.91 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 174.4 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 6.4 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.
Between Altoona, PA and West Penn, PA, road signs point toward Nescopeck and Tamaqua.
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