Origin
Ellwood City, PA
Evening in Ellwood City on Sunday
Local time
8:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellwood City, PA to Altoona, PA
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
125.4 mi
202 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
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
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.
Ellwood City, PA
Jack Pace
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Ellwood City to Altoona, expect a straightforward journey spanning 125.5 miles. You should set aside approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes of drive time to complete this trek. Because the route is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $20 for fuel will cover your transit across this Northeast corridor. Since the route avoids highways entirely, it offers a more personal, local travel experience compared to major interstates. It is an ideal choice if you prefer staying off the beaten path while navigating between these two Pennsylvania destinations.
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
62.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route relies on Fountain Avenue, Portersville Road, and Perry Highway to reach your destination. Because the highway share is 0%, you can expect a steady rhythm of local roads rather than high-speed interstate travel. You will not find any lengthy, uninterrupted stretches, as the longest segment on Fountain Avenue is 0 miles. This configuration creates a technical feel that requires your full attention as you transition through the regional landscape.
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.
US 422 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 422 and William Penn Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.8 miles in near US 422.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 125.4 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 47.8 miles (US 422): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles (US 422): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
US 422
Take the exit onto US 422 toward US 422 East, US 422 Business West: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 422 East, US 422 Business West: India...
6
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 422
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
100 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
117.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Keep slight left 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
5
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Altoona
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ellwood City, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
116.7 mi in
|
~2h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 422 | 85.8 mi | 1h 56m |
| William Penn Highway | 16.4 mi | 19m |
| Portersville Road | 9.5 mi | 16m |
| I 99 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| East Portersville Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| 17th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 6th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Pleasant Valley Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 422
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellwood City, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Way
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
Keystone Way
2
Turn left onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Fountain Avenue
3
Continue on PA 488
9.5 mi
·
16 min
·
Portersville Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 19; PA 488
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Perry Highway
5
Turn slight left onto PA 488
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Portersville Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn slight left onto Pleasant Valley Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pleasant Valley Road
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
8
Merge onto US 422
35 mi
·
47 min
·
US 422
9
Take the exit onto US 422
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 422
Toward US 422 East, US 422 Business West: Indiana
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 422
51 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 422
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on West High Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West High Street
12
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rowena Drive
13
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
14
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto US 22
16 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
21
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
22
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
23
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
24
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 25-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. You won't face the stress of long-distance fatigue, but keep in mind that the local roads lack the predictable flow of a major expressway. Aim to keep your fuel tank topped off before leaving Ellwood City, as the $20 estimated cost is a baseline for the direct distance. Because the journey is entirely local, be prepared for more frequent turns and varying speed limits compared to a typical highway drive. Make sure to account for extra travel time if you encounter local traffic along the turn-heavy sections of Perry Highway.
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 62.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 26m
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 Ellwood City, 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 Ellwood City, PA
This is one driving day of about 125.4 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ellwood City, 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 US 422 for about 85.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.7 mi from Ellwood City, PA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 422 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.8 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
$20.75 one way
$41.50 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $22.71 | $45.41 |
| premium | $4.92 | $24.30 | $48.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.86 | $55.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 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 | 37.6 | 0 | $13.17 | $6.02 |
| Efficient EV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.97 | $5.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.56 | $8.03 |
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.
Destination
Altoona, PA
Evening in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
8:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
1 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 Ellwood City, PA to Altoona, PA covers 125.4 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 US 422, William Penn Highway, Portersville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.7 miles from Ellwood City, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.75 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 16 significant decision points across 125.4 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 47.8 miles (US 422): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48 miles (US 422): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 100 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ellwood City, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
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