The drive from Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 99, Lincoln Way East, Lincoln Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.7 miles on I 99.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.88 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
66 miles from Hanover, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Hanover is a borough in Pennsylvania with a population of about 16,000 in 2018. It was the site of the final encounter between the Union and Confederate States armies before they fought against each other in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. It has become known as the "Snack Food Capital of the World" because of establishment of several food manufacturing businesses there during the 20th century.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 132 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 4m, 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 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 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 0.8 miles in near West Elm Avenue.
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 17 significant decision points across 132 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 0.8 miles (West Elm Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles (US 30 / Chambersburg Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|West Elm Avenue
Turn left onto West Elm Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
14.3 mi into trip|~23m in|US 30 / Chambersburg Street
Enter roundabout onto US 30 / Chambersburg Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
77.8 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
7
95.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
7
96 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Johnstown
95.3 mi in|~2h 21m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 99
32.7 mi
35m
Lincoln Way East
24.5 mi
40m
Lincoln Highway
20.8 mi
29m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
15.5 mi
16m
Chambersburg Road
13.4 mi
20m
Hanover Road
9.1 mi
14m
Lincoln Way West
4.1 mi
5m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hanover, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on PA 116; PA 194
92 ft·5 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto PA 94; PA 194
0.8 mi·2 min·Carlisle Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto West Elm Avenue
1.1 mi·1 min·West Elm Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 116
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Continue on PA 116
5.3 mi·7 min·Hanover Road
6
Continue on PA 116
1.4 mi·2 min·East Hanover Street
7
Continue on PA 116
3.8 mi·6 min·Hanover Road
8
Continue on PA 116
0.5 mi·45 sec·Hanover Street
9
Continue on US 30; PA 116
0.2 mi·44 sec·York Street
10
Enter roundabout onto US 30
179 ft·7 sec·Chambersburg Street
11
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·57 sec·Chambersburg Street
12
Continue on US 30
0.5 mi·1 min·Buford Avenue
13
Continue on US 30
13 mi·20 min·Chambersburg Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 30
11 mi·18 min·Lincoln Way East
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
14 mi·21 min·Lincoln Way East
16
Continue on US 30
4.1 mi·5 min·Lincoln Way West
17
Continue on US 30
21 mi·29 min·Lincoln Highway
18
Take the exit
362 ft·9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
19
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·46 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
21
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi·16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
26
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi·35 min·I 99; US 220
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
29
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
30
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
31
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
32
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
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 66 miles from Hanover, PA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 29 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 45m 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 37m
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 Hanover, 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 Hanover, PA
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Hanover, 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 I 99 for about 32.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Hanover, PA
· 1h 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Hanover, 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 137.5
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 121
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 27.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.88 one way
$43.77 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.97
$47.94
premium
$4.93
$25.60
$51.20
diesel
$5.61
$29.14
$58.29
Estimated Tolls: $2.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(15.5 mi)$2.01
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
$22
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.6
0
$13.86
$6.34
Efficient EV
33
0
$11.55
$5.28
EV Truck/SUV
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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 15, 2026
Origin
Hanover, PA
Late night
in Hanover on Saturday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Late night
in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 4m 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 Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 99, Lincoln Way East, Lincoln Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 miles from Hanover, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.88 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 132 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 0.8 miles (West Elm Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.3 miles (US 30 / Chambersburg Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 77.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
