Origin
Jenks, PA
Afternoon in Jenks on Saturday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jenks, PA to Altoona, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
172.4 mi
277 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 41m
★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jenks, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
The drive from Jenks, PA to Altoona, PA covers 172.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Jacksonville Road, State Route 118 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.58 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
86.2 miles from Jenks, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 50.6 mi | 54m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| State Route 118 | 23.6 mi | 41m |
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| I 180 | 12 mi | 13m |
| PA 118 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| Route 29 Highway | 5.8 mi | 10m |
| Mooretown Road | 4.2 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 50.6 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jenks, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on McMullian Hill Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
McMullian Hill Road
2
Turn left onto Jenks Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Jenks Road
3
Turn straight onto PA 292
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
PA 292
4
Continue on PA 29
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Tunkhannock Highway
5
Take the exit onto PA 29
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 29
6
At end of road, turn left onto PA 29
237 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
7
Continue on PA 29
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 29
8
Turn slight right onto PA 29
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Route 29 Highway
9
Turn right onto Mooretown Road
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Mooretown Road
10
Continue on Mooretown Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mooretown Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto Mooretown Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mooretown Road
12
Turn straight onto PA 118
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
PA 118
13
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 118
24 mi
·
41 min
·
State Route 118
14
Turn left onto PA 405
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Main Street
15
Continue on PA 405
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 405
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
17
Merge onto I 180
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 180
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
19
Merge onto I 80
51 mi
·
54 min
·
Keystone Shortway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
21
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
24
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
25
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
26
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
27
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
28
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
29
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
30
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
31
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
32
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
33
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
34
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 86.2 miles from Jenks, PA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.6 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 38 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.2 miles or 2h 15m 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 17m
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 Jenks, 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 Jenks, PA
This is one driving day of about 172.4 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Jenks, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 50.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.2 miles from Jenks, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 170.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
PA 29 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 29 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
118.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
5
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
143.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
5
170.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
6th Avenue Road
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.58 one way
$57.16 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.30 | $62.61 |
| premium | $4.93 | $33.43 | $66.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.06 | $76.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.10 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.14 | $11.03 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Altoona, PA
Afternoon in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
2:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph
0% chance
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
12 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
3h 54m 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.
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 172.4
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
172.4 mi in 3h 54m — 46% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Keystone Shortway.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 7.8 miles in near PA 29 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 172.4 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 7.8 miles (PA 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 172.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Altoona, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.8 miles (PA 29 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 118.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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