Origin
Palmer Heights, PA
Afternoon in Palmer Heights on Saturday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmer Heights, 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
4h 14m
Distance
206 mi
332 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmer Heights, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Palmer Heights, PA to Altoona, PA is 206 miles and takes about 4 hours 14 minutes via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to its western part. Expect a local drive with plenty of turns, making it a more engaging journey than a straight interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day drive time, you can comfortably complete this route without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
103 miles from Palmer Heights, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 95.2 mi | 1h 43m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| Lehigh Drive | 14.5 mi | 21m |
| Newburg Road | 6.4 mi | 10m |
| Hudson Drive | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| East Broad Street | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| State Route 93 | 3.7 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer Heights, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on North Greenwood Avenue
17 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Greenwood Avenue
2
Keep slight right at fork onto North Greenwood Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Greenwood Avenue
3
Turn right onto Jewel Street
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Jewel Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Nazareth Road
5
Turn left onto Newburg Road
6.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Newburg Road
6
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
7
Continue on PA 248
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Boulevard
8
Continue on PA 248
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Pheasant Drive
9
Continue on PA 248
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Lehigh Drive
10
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Bankway Street
12
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 South
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
14
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Mauch Chunk Street
15
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Susquehanna Street
16
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
17
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
Lehigh Street
18
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
19
Continue on US 209
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East Catawissa Street
20
Turn right onto PA 93
523 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hudson Drive
21
Continue on State Route 93
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Hunter Street
22
Continue on PA 93
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Hudson Drive
23
Continue on PA 93
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Broad Street
24
Continue on PA 93
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Street
25
Continue on PA 93
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Broad Street
26
Continue on PA 93; PA 924
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Broad Street
27
Turn straight onto PA 93
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Susquehanna Boulevard
28
Continue on PA 93
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Valmont Parkway
29
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 93
30
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
32
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
34
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
35
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
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
37
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
38
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
39
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
40
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
41
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
42
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
43
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
44
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
45
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
46
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
47
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 14-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider starting in the morning to maximize daylight and enjoy the drive at a relaxed pace. With only one suggested stop, plan where you'd like to stretch your legs or refuel before you depart, as the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is over 95 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the Keystone Shortway and I-99, to ensure you have enough for the entire 206-mile journey.
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 103 miles from Palmer Heights, PA, or about 2h 17m 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 45 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103 miles or 2h 17m 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 31m
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 Heights, 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 Heights, PA
This is one driving day of about 206 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Palmer Heights, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103 miles from Palmer Heights, 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.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 176.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Greenwood Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto North Greenwood Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
27.8 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 209 / Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
32.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
152.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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...
6
176.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.15 one way
$68.30 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $37.40 | $74.81 |
| premium | $4.93 | $39.95 | $79.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.48 | $90.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
| Efficient EV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.03 | $8.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.84 | $13.18 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 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
15 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
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 206
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?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction and speed compared to a pure interstate experience. While 13% of the journey is on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 95.2 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing a period of more consistent travel before returning to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road ahead.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Greenwood Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 206 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Greenwood Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 27.8 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 206 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Greenwood Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 27.8 miles (US 209 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles (US 209 / Lehigh Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 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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