The drive from Altoona, PA to Pulaski, PA covers 125.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on William Penn Highway, US 22, Pennsylvania Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43 miles on William Penn Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.74 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
62.6 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 125.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Altoona, PA to Pulaski, PA covers 125.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m, 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 39 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 43 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 6.5 miles in near US 22.
Driving Effort9/10
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 28 significant decision points across 125.1 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 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 West: Ohio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 76 West: Ohio
8
109.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Cranberry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendal...
7
110 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
7
122 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward PA 18 South, PA 68 East: Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 18 South, PA 68 East: Rochester
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 Pulaski, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
Pittsburgh
109.8 mi in|~2h 29m
Warrendale
109.8 mi in|~2h 29m
Cranberry
109.8 mi in|~2h 29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
43 mi
1h 3m
US 22
30.5 mi
39m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
27.7 mi
29m
Freedom Crider Road
4.4 mi
6m
6th Avenue
3.6 mi
6m
Ohio River Boulevard
2.7 mi
3m
Freedom Road
2.6 mi
4m
7th Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 43 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Pulaski, 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: EbensburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 22
43 mi·1 hr 3 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Northern Pike
1.8 mi·3 min·Northern Pike
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto PA 48; Orange Belt
0.1 mi·10 sec·Mosside Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Daugherty Drive
183 ft·12 sec·Daugherty Drive
13
Turn right
421 ft·36 sec
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward I 76 West: OhioUse the straight lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
28 mi·29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 28Toward I 79, US 19: Erie, Pittsburgh, Warrendale, CranberryUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward US 19: Warrendale, Cranberry
19
Turn slight left
149 ft·5 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto US 19
0.5 mi·1 min·Perry Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Freedom Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Freedom Crider Road
23
Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road
98 ft·1 sec·Freedom Crider Road
24
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Freedom Crider Road
25
Turn straight onto Crows Run Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Crows Run Road
26
Turn right onto PA 65
2.7 mi·3 min·Ohio River Boulevard
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward PA 18 South, PA 68 East: RochesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto New York Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·New York Avenue
29
Turn right onto PA 68
0.2 mi·36 sec·Adams Street
30
Turn left onto PA 68
0.9 mi·2 min·Virginia Avenue
31
Keep slight left at fork onto Virginia Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Virginia Avenue
32
Continue on Rochester Road
0.4 mi·52 sec·Rochester Road
33
Turn right onto Sunflower Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Sunflower Road
34
Turn left onto 40th Avenue
327 ft·14 sec·40th Avenue
35
Continue on 41st Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·41st Street
36
Turn right onto 39th Avenue
267 ft·11 sec·39th Avenue
37
Continue on 39th Avenue
0.1 mi·38 sec·39th Avenue
38
Turn left onto 37th Street
98 ft·4 sec·37th Street
39
Arrive at destination
37th Street
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 62.6 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 28m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pulaski, 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 125.1 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 43 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.6 mi from Altoona, PA
· 1h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 62.6 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Pulaski, PA
The final approach into Pulaski, 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 Pulaski, 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 30.2
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 34.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.74 one way
$41.48 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.72
$45.43
premium
$4.93
$24.26
$48.52
diesel
$5.61
$27.62
$55.24
Estimated Tolls: $3.61
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(27.7 mi)$3.61
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.14
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.95
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.51
$8.01
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Late night
in Altoona on Friday
Local time
2:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pulaski, PA
Late night
in Pulaski on Friday
Local time
2:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
16 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 56m 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 Pulaski, PA covers 125.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, US 22, Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.6 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 $20.74 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 28 significant decision points across 125.1 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 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Altoona, PA and Pulaski, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Warrendale and Cranberry.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
