Origin
Jim Thorpe, PA
Evening in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jim Thorpe, PA to Altoona, PA
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
174.1 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jim Thorpe, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Jim Thorpe to Altoona, expect a 174.1-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes. This drive fits perfectly into a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $29 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Northeast, you will transition from the Jim Thorpe area toward the heart of the state. It is a manageable trek, though the local roads require a bit more focus than a standard interstate cruise. Whether you are headed out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path across the region.
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
87 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend 16% of your time on highways, the character of the road is defined by its winding local segments. You will spend a significant chunk of the trip on the Keystone Shortway, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch at 95.2 miles. Aside from this main artery, you will navigate sections of Jacksonville Road and I-99. The experience shifts from technical local maneuvering to more consistent highway driving, offering a varied experience that keeps the transit from feeling like a monotonous grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 95.2 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 209 / Lehigh Avenue.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 24m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.1 miles (I 80 / Keystone Shortway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
25.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Merge onto I 80 / Keystone Shortway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
120.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
120.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
144.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m 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,...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 95.2 mi | 1h 43m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| Hudson Drive | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| East Broad Street | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| State Route 93 | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Hunter Street | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jim Thorpe, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on West 6th Street
135 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 6th Street
2
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
4
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Catawissa Street
5
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hudson Drive
6
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Hunter Street
7
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Hudson Drive
8
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Broad Street
9
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Street
10
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Broad Street
11
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Broad Street
12
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Susquehanna Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Valmont Parkway
14
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 93
15
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
17
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
19
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the none lane.
20
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
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
22
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
23
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
24
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
25
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
26
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
27
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
28
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
29
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
30
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
31
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
32
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With only one recommended stop planned, you can easily pace your drive to avoid fatigue. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local sections means your travel time can be sensitive to traffic or weather, so check your route before heading out. Since you are looking at a $29 fuel investment, filling up before you leave the Jim Thorpe area is a smart way to ensure you don't have to worry about finding a station while navigating the more technical stretches. Stay alert on the turns, and you will find this 174.1-mile journey quite manageable.
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 87 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 44m 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 47m
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 Jim Thorpe, 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 Jim Thorpe, PA
This is one driving day of about 174.1 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jim Thorpe, 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 95.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from Jim Thorpe, PA · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 87 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.2 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
$28.81 one way
$57.62 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $31.52 | $63.05 |
| premium | $4.92 | $33.74 | $67.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.68 | $77.36 |
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: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.28 | $8.36 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.37 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 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
Evening in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
7:23 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 24m 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 Jim Thorpe, PA to Altoona, PA covers 174.1 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Jacksonville Road, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87 miles from Jim Thorpe, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.81 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 24m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 25.1 miles (I 80 / Keystone Shortway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Jim Thorpe, PA to Altoona, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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