Trip from Dallastown, PA to Altoona, PA

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

161.8 mi

260 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 57m ★

6 AM

3h 9m

8 AM

3h 32m

10 AM

3h 17m

12 PM

3h 15m

3 PM

3h 18m

5 PM

3h 31m

8 PM

3h 2m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Dallastown, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Dallastown to Altoona, you are looking at a straightforward 161.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 8 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it balances efficiency with a manageable travel time. You will primarily navigate via I-83, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and I-99 to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it remains an affordable option for travelers moving across the Northeast region. While you could easily push through in one go, building in a single stop will keep the drive comfortable and relaxed. Overall, this is a practical and efficient way to traverse this part of Pennsylvania 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

80.9 miles from Dallastown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 93% of this 161.8-mile trip takes place on major interstates. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 96.9 miles. The road maintains a consistent, efficient pace, moving you quickly between the starting point and your destination. Because the route relies so heavily on major thoroughfares, you can anticipate a steady, predictable flow of traffic for most of the drive. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 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 96.9 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 0.3 miles in near North Lombard Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 161.8 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 0.3 miles (North Lombard Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (PA 24 / Cape Horn Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 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.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Lombard Street

Turn left onto North Lombard Street

Navigation decision point

1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | PA 24 / Cape Horn Road

Turn left onto PA 24 / Cape Horn Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

125.1 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in

Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown

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 Altoona, Johnstown

125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Take the ramp toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

125.8 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Towns Along This Route

Between Dallastown, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Johnstown.

Patp: Philadelphia

27.5 mi in | ~38m

Pittsburgh

27.5 mi in | ~38m

Johnstown

125.1 mi in | ~2h 25m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike	96.9 mi	1h 45m
I 99	32.7 mi	35m
I 83	21 mi	25m
Cape Horn Road	3.6 mi	6m
17th Street	1.4 mi	2m
Mount Rose Avenue	0.9 mi	1m
6th Avenue	0.7 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 96.9 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallastown, PA and Altoona, PA.

Start on PA 214

0.2 mi · 27 sec · South Pleasant Avenue

Turn right onto East Broad Street

371 ft · 13 sec · East Broad Street

Turn left onto North Lombard Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Lombard Street

Continue on South Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Continue on Lombard Road

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Lombard Road

Turn left onto PA 24

3.6 mi · 6 min · Cape Horn Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto PA 124

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East Prospect Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on PA 124

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mount Rose Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg

Merge onto I 83

21 mi · 25 min · I 83

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 76, PATP: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Turn straight

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh

Merge onto I 76; PATP

97 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward Altoona, Johnstown Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 220 BUS

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Business 220

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Merge onto I 99; US 220

33 mi · 35 min · I 99; US 220

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward 17th Street

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward Altoona

Turn straight onto 17th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

Turn right onto PA 764

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at destination

7th Street

Trip Plan

Because this drive is only 3 hours and 8 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, especially if you are traveling on a weekend. Plan for exactly one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as this will help break up the monotony of the long interstate stretches. Since fuel costs are estimated at $27, check your tank before merging onto the Turnpike to ensure you aren't paying premium service plaza prices. Keeping your momentum steady on I-99 will help you reach Altoona comfortably within your expected time frame.

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 80.9 miles from Dallastown, PA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.9 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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80.9 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Dallastown, 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 Dallastown, PA

This is one driving day of about 161.8 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dallastown, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 96.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.9 mi from Dallastown, PA · 1h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cuba, NY

81 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

Cuba, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Cuba, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.9 miles from Dallastown, 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 96.9 miles.

Arriving in Altoona, PA

The final approach into Altoona, 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 Altoona, 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

$26.77 one way

$53.55 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$29.30	$58.59
premium	$4.92	$31.35	$62.71
diesel	$5.64	$35.95	$71.89

Estimated Tolls: $12.59

Pennsylvania Turnpike (96.9 mi) $12.59

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

$27

Tolls

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48.5	$16.99	$7.77
Efficient EV	40.5	$14.16	$6.47
EV Truck/SUV	64.7	$22.65	$10.36

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 data refreshed 1 hour from now

Origin

Dallastown, PA

Evening in Dallastown on Sunday

Local time

7:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altoona, PA

Evening in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

7:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

51°F

Cuba, NY

81 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

19 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 8m 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 Dallastown, PA to Altoona, PA covers 161.8 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 99, I 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 80.9 miles from Dallastown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.77 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.

Between Dallastown, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Johnstown.

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Trip from Dallastown, PA to Altoona, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Altoona, PA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dallastown, PA

Altoona, PA

Same local time

19 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 8m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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