Trip from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

193.1 mi

311 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 40m ★

6 AM

3h 52m

8 AM

4h 18m

10 AM

4h 1m

12 PM

3h 59m

3 PM

4h 3m

5 PM

4h 17m

8 PM

3h 45m

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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Trip Overview

Traveling from Parkesburg to Altoona covers 193.1 miles through the heart of Pennsylvania. Expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should budget about $31 for fuel. This trip transitions you across the Northeast region, trading the familiarity of local streets for a more technical driving experience. Since the drive is under four hours, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay, though you may want to plan for at least one stop to break up the travel time.

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

96.5 miles from Parkesburg, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Forget the monotony of interstate cruising; this route is a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. You will navigate using South Church Street, Octorara Trail, and the historic Lincoln Highway, with zero percentage of the trip spent on high-speed highways. Since there are no long, straight stretches—the longest being 0 miles on South Church Street—you should prepare for a constant series of turns and adjustments. The road’s personality is defined by its local character, requiring a more engaged driving style than a typical highway commute. Expect a winding path that keeps you actively steering from start to finish.

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

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

South Church Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA is easy. At 3h 52m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Church Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
Octorara Trail	Unavailable	Refreshing
Lincoln Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
Newport Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
Old Philadelphia Pike	Unavailable	Refreshing
US 30 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
PA 283 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 76	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: South Church Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on West 1st Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · West 1st Avenue

Turn left onto South Church Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Church Street

Continue on Octorara Trail

1.4 mi · 2 min · Octorara Trail

Turn left onto Lincoln Highway

4.7 mi · 7 min · Lincoln Highway

Keep slight right to continue on Lincoln Highway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Highway

Turn right onto Newport Road

5.3 mi · 8 min · Newport Road

Continue on Old Philadelphia Pike

7.2 mi · 12 min · Old Philadelphia Pike

Take the ramp slight right toward US 30 West

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 30 West

Merge slight left

4.5 mi · 6 min

Keep slight left to continue on PA 283 West: Harrisburg

29 mi · 34 min · PA 283 West: Harrisburg

Turn slight left onto I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

0.1 mi · 32 sec · I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Merge slight left

407 ft · 1 min

Keep slight right to continue on I 76 West: Pittsburgh

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 76 West: Pittsburgh

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

102 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown

0.3 mi · 47 sec · Altoona, Johnstown

Turn left onto Business 220

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Business 220

Take the ramp left toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

Keep slight right to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

0.3 mi · 37 sec · I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

Merge slight left

33 mi · 35 min

Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 17th Street

Keep slight right to continue on Altoona

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Altoona

Turn straight onto 17th Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

Turn right onto 6th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Street

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

When planning your departure, remember that this turn-heavy route requires more focus than a standard highway drive, so starting well-rested is essential. You have the flexibility to manage your own pace, but incorporating one planned stop is a smart way to maintain comfort over the nearly four-hour duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's performance on these local roads. Since the route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, use the frequent turns as a natural reminder to stay alert and adjust your speed accordingly. By staying mindful of the road's technical nature, you can ensure a smooth and manageable trip to Altoona.

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 96.5 miles from Parkesburg, PA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

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 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 96.5 miles or 1h 56m 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 10m

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 Parkesburg, 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 Parkesburg, PA

This is one driving day of about 193.1 miles and 3h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Parkesburg, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 96.5 mi from Parkesburg, PA · 1h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corning, NY

97 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

Corning, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Corning, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.5 miles from Parkesburg, 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

$31.95 one way

$63.91 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$34.96	$69.93
premium	$4.92	$37.42	$74.84
diesel	$5.64	$42.90	$85.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.9	$20.28	$9.27
Efficient EV	48.3	$16.90	$7.72
EV Truck/SUV	77.2	$27.03	$12.36

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Parkesburg, PA

Night in Parkesburg on Sunday

Local time

9:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altoona, PA

Night in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

9:48 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

2 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

3h 52m 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 Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA covers 193.1 miles and takes about 3h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South Church Street, Octorara Trail, Lincoln Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 96.5 miles from Parkesburg, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.95 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.

The drive from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA is easy. At 3h 52m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Parkesburg, PA to Altoona, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.