Trip from Fairview, PA to Altoona, PA

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

240 mi

386 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 40m ★

6 AM

3h 53m

8 AM

4h 19m

10 AM

4h 2m

12 PM

4h 0m

3 PM

4h 3m

5 PM

4h 18m

8 PM

3h 45m

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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Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Fairview to Altoona, expect a journey covering 240 miles with a total travel time of approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it is manageable for most drivers without requiring an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of about $39 for this trek across Pennsylvania. Since this is an entirely local drive, you will avoid the high-speed monotony of interstate travel, though you should prepare for a significant amount of steering. It is a straightforward connection between two Northeast locations, ideal for those who prefer backroad driving over highway cruising.

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

120 miles from Fairview, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a fast-paced highway experience, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend your time navigating local thoroughfares like Fairview Road and Macdade Boulevard, which demand your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, the drive requires constant focus and frequent adjustments. This technical, winding path offers a distinct change of pace from standard interstate routes. The lack of highway miles means your speed will remain moderate throughout the entire 240-mile journey.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Fairview Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairview, PA to Altoona, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Fairview Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
Macdade Boulevard	Unavailable	Refreshing
MacDade Boulevard	Unavailable	Refreshing
East 22nd Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
Edgmont Avenue	Unavailable	Refreshing
South New Middletown Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
North Middletown Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
South Chester Road	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Fairview Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Essex Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Essex Avenue

At the end of the road, turn left onto Fairview Road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Fairview Road

Turn left onto Macdade Boulevard

0.7 mi · 1 min · Macdade Boulevard

Continue on MacDade Boulevard

0.3 mi · 25 sec · MacDade Boulevard

Continue on East 22nd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 22nd Street

Turn right onto Edgmont Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · Edgmont Avenue

Continue on South New Middletown Road

2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road

Continue on North Middletown Road

5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road

Continue on South Chester Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road

Turn left onto West Chester Pike

3.2 mi · 5 min · West Chester Pike

Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown

0.2 mi · 44 sec · US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown

Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Chester Bypass

Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton

7.5 mi · 11 min · PA 100 North: Exton

Take the exit slight right toward PATP

0.4 mi · 46 sec · PATP

Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg

0.3 mi · 41 sec · I 76 West: Harrisburg

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

167 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Altoona, Johnstown

Turn left onto Business 220

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Business 220

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

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

Keep slight right to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

0.3 mi · 37 sec · I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Merge slight left

33 mi · 35 min

Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 17th Street

Keep slight right to continue on Altoona

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Altoona

Turn straight onto 17th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

Turn right onto 6th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a 3-hour and 53-minute trek, aim to depart early in the day to ensure you reach Altoona before sunset, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the technical driving. Because you are relying on local roads like Macdade Boulevard, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track through the various turns. Budgeting $39 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is always wise to monitor your gauge as you navigate the local segments. Embracing the flexibility of this shorter trip allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of a rigid highway schedule.

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 120 miles from Fairview, PA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

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 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120 miles or 1h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 11m

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 Fairview, 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 Fairview, PA

This is one driving day of about 240 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairview, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120 mi from Fairview, PA · 1h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corning, NY

120 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Corning, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120 miles from Fairview, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$39.71 one way

$79.43 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$43.46	$86.91
premium	$4.92	$46.51	$93.01
diesel	$5.64	$53.32	$106.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72	0	$25.20	$11.52
Efficient EV	60	0	$21.00	$9.60
EV Truck/SUV	96	1	$33.60	$15.36

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 2 days ago

Origin

Fairview, PA

Afternoon in Fairview on Sunday

Local time

4:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altoona, PA

Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

4:45 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

24 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 53m 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 Fairview, PA to Altoona, PA covers 240 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Fairview Road, Macdade Boulevard, MacDade Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 120 miles from Fairview, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.71 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 straightforward 3h 53m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fairview, PA to Altoona, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Fairview, PA to Altoona, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Altoona, PA to Fairview, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

230.7 mi 4h 32m

Explore more options from Fairview, PA or browse trips ending in Altoona, PA.

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