The drive from Altoona, PA to Schlusser, PA covers 122.6 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 99, Harrisburg Pike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.33 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.
Midpoint
61.3 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 122.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 23m highway drive covering 122.6 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. The longest continuous stretch is about 81 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 81 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 122.6 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 117.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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
117.8 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
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 I 81, US 11: Carlisle, Harrisburg
7
118.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South: Carlisle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 11 South: Carlisle
6
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|Cavalry Road
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Schlusser, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh
35.1 mi in|~40m
Harrisburg
35.1 mi in|~40m
Patp: Pittsburgh
36.2 mi in|~42m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
81 mi
1h 29m
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Harrisburg Pike
1.5 mi
3m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
Spring Road
1.2 mi
2m
Cavalry Road
0.8 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
8th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 81 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Schlusser, 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
81 mi·1 hr 29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 81, US 11: Carlisle, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
513 ft·17 sec
Toward US 11 South: CarlisleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 11
1.5 mi·3 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Cavalry Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Cavalry Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto PA 34
1.2 mi·2 min·Spring Road
19
Turn right onto Partridge Circle
188 ft·10 sec·Partridge Circle
20
Continue on Partridge Circle
0.2 mi·36 sec·Partridge Circle
21
Arrive at destination
Partridge Circle
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.3 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Schlusser, 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 122.6 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Altoona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 81 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.3 mi from Altoona, PA
· 1h 10m into the drive
The midpoint is around 61.3 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 miles.
Arriving in Schlusser, PA
The final approach into Schlusser, 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 Schlusser, 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 118.3
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 16.9
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 33.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.33 one way
$40.65 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.26
$44.52
premium
$4.93
$23.78
$47.55
diesel
$5.61
$27.07
$54.14
Estimated Tolls: $10.53
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(81 mi)$10.53
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
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.8
0
$12.87
$5.88
Efficient EV
30.7
0
$10.73
$4.90
EV Truck/SUV
49
0
$17.16
$7.85
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Afternoon
in Altoona on Thursday
Local time
2:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 10 to 14 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:13AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Schlusser, PA
Afternoon
in Schlusser on Thursday
Local time
2:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
30 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 23m 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 Schlusser, PA covers 122.6 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 99, Harrisburg Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.3 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 $20.33 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 122.6 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 117.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Altoona, PA and Schlusser, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
