Trip from Palmer, PA to Altoona, PA

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

128.1 mi

206 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 46m ★

6 AM

2h 57m

8 AM

3h 19m

10 AM

3h 5m

12 PM

3h 2m

3 PM

3h 6m

5 PM

3h 18m

8 PM

2h 50m

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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Palmer, PA

Nothing Ahead

Trip Overview

Spanning 128.1 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Palmer to Altoona is an ideal one-day excursion. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable trek for those looking to reach the heart of the state. With a fuel budget of about $21, the trip is quite economical for solo drivers or small groups. While the drive is straightforward, it is best treated as a single-day journey rather than an overnight affair. Both your starting point and destination sit firmly within the Northeast region, offering a consistent travel experience as you navigate between these two Pennsylvania hubs.

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

64.1 miles from Palmer, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 25% of this journey involves highway driving, so you will spend most of your time navigating local roads like the Admiral Peary Highway and US 119. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 51-mile stretch along the William Penn Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the trip. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than interstates, the road personality is technical and engaging. Prepare for a ride that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed cruising.

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

There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

William Penn Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 51 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13 miles in near US 40 / National Pike.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 128.1 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 13 miles (US 40 / National Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (US 119): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

13 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 40 / National Pike

Turn right onto US 40 / National Pike

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

13.6 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

13.8 mi into trip | ~30m in | US 119

Merge onto US 119

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

54.4 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 22 East: Blairsville

119.9 mi into trip | ~2h 45m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Palmer, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.

Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont

40.7 mi in | ~1h 2m | via PA Tpke 66

Bedford

119.4 mi in | ~2h 44m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
William Penn Highway	51 mi	1h 6m
US 119	26.9 mi	31m
Admiral Peary Highway	13.7 mi	19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass	13.3 mi	14m
New Salem Road	7.7 mi	13m
I 99	4.4 mi	4m
Thompson 1 Road	1.4 mi	2m
17th Street	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: William Penn Highway — 51 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Tank Hill Road

157 ft · 9 sec · Tank Hill Road

Turn right onto Palmer Road

0.5 mi · 2 min · Palmer Road

Continue on Sr3013

523 ft · 23 sec · Sr3013

Continue on Palmer Adah Road

1.2 mi · 4 min · Palmer Adah Road

Turn right onto Ralph Road

0.9 mi · 3 min · Ralph Road

Turn left onto PA 166

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Hartley Hill Road

Continue on PA 166

1.4 mi · 2 min · Thompson 1 Road

Continue on PA 166

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Tower Hill Road

Turn slight right onto New Salem Road

2.7 mi · 4 min · New Salem Road

Continue on Front Street

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Front Street

Continue on West Main Street

0.4 mi · 43 sec · West Main Street

Continue on New Salem Road

4.9 mi · 8 min · New Salem Road

Turn right onto US 40

0.6 mi · 1 min · National Pike

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 119

27 mi · 31 min · US 119

Use the none lane.

Continue on PA Tpke 66

13 mi · 14 min · Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass

Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont Use the none lane.

Continue on PA 66

0.3 mi · 35 sec · PA 66

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Toward US 22 East: Blairsville Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 22

34 mi · 47 min · William Penn Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 22

14 mi · 19 min · Admiral Peary Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 22

17 mi · 19 min · William Penn Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 45 sec · this road

Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Merge onto I 99; US 220

4.4 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward 17th Street

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward Altoona

Turn straight onto 17th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

Turn right onto PA 764

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Street

0.2 mi · 18 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at destination

7th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps avoid any unexpected local congestion. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the drive and keep your energy levels high. Keep in mind that because the route is turn-heavy, you should factor in extra time for navigating intersections rather than just pure mileage. Given the $21 fuel cost, filling up before you leave Palmer is a simple way to ensure a stress-free start. Use that single planned stop as a chance to stretch your legs after completing the longest 51-mile stretch on the William Penn 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 64.1 miles from Palmer, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51 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 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 64.1 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 27m

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 Palmer, 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 Palmer, PA

This is one driving day of about 128.1 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palmer, 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 William Penn Highway for about 51 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.1 mi from Palmer, PA · 1h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jamestown, NY

64 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

Jamestown, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Jamestown, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.1 miles from Palmer, 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

$21.20 one way

$42.39 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$23.19	$46.39
premium	$4.92	$24.82	$49.65
diesel	$5.64	$28.46	$56.92

Estimated Tolls: $0.93

Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass (13.3 mi) $0.93

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

$21

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.4	$13.45	$6.15
Efficient EV	32	$11.21	$5.12
EV Truck/SUV	51.2	$17.93	$8.20

Gas CO2

45 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Palmer, PA

Evening in Palmer on Sunday

Local time

6:09 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altoona, PA

Evening in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

6:09 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 56m 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 Palmer, PA to Altoona, PA covers 128.1 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are William Penn Highway, US 119, Admiral Peary Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 64.1 miles from Palmer, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.20 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.

Between Palmer, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.

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Return Trip

Altoona, PA to Palmer, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

124.9 mi 2h 55m

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Trip from Palmer, PA to Altoona, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Altoona, PA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Palmer, PA

Altoona, PA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 56m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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