The drive from Pulaski, PA to Altoona, PA covers 128.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on William Penn Highway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Admiral Peary Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.5 miles on William Penn Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.24 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
64 miles from Pulaski, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 128.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 57m drive with frequent turns across 128.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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 61.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,456 ft909 ft
Total Climb
1,663 ft
Total Descent
1,574 ft
Highest Point
2,456 ft
~91.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,547 ft
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 0.4 miles in near Sunflower Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 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 0.4 miles (Sunflower Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Sunflower Road
At end of road, turn right onto Sunflower Road
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
14.5 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
7
14.6 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
8
43.5 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
7
43.9 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 22 East: Murrysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Murrysville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pulaski, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Monroeville and Bedford.
Patp: Youngstown Ohio
14.5 mi in|~24m
Harrisburg
14.5 mi in|~24m
Monroeville
43.5 mi in|~57m
Bedford
119.3 mi in|~2h 45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.5 mi
1h 25m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
28 mi
30m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
I 99
4.4 mi
4m
Freedom Crider Road
4.4 mi
6m
Ohio River Boulevard
2.8 mi
3m
Freedom Road
2.5 mi
4m
Virginia Avenue
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pulaski, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on 37th Street
98 ft·6 sec·37th Street
2
Turn right onto 39th Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·39th Avenue
3
Continue on 39th Avenue
267 ft·17 sec·39th Avenue
4
Turn left onto 41st Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·41st Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Sunflower Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Sunflower Road
6
Turn left onto Virginia Avenue
294 ft·5 sec·Virginia Avenue
7
Continue on Rochester Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·Rochester Road
8
Continue on Virginia Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·Virginia Avenue
9
Turn right onto PA 68
0.2 mi·30 sec·Adams Street
10
Turn left onto New York Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·New York Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward PA 65 South, PA 51 South
12
Merge onto PA 51; PA 65
2.8 mi·3 min·Ohio River Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Crows Run Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Crows Run Road
14
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Freedom Crider Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Freedom Crider Road
102 ft·1 sec·Freedom Crider Road
16
Continue on Freedom Crider Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Freedom Crider Road
17
Continue on Freedom Road
2.5 mi·4 min·Freedom Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto US 19
0.2 mi·26 sec·Perry Highway
Use the right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: HarrisburgUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
22
Merge onto I 76; PATP
28 mi·30 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 22 East: MurrysvilleUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
28
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
30
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
33
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
34
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
35
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
36
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
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 miles from Pulaski, PA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 miles or 1h 29m 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 28m
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 Pulaski, 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 Pulaski, PA
This is one driving day of about 128.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pulaski, 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 61.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64 mi from Pulaski, PA
· 1h 29m into the drive
The midpoint is around 64 miles from Pulaski, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.5 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 88.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.24 one way
$42.47 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.26
$46.52
premium
$4.93
$24.84
$49.69
diesel
$5.61
$28.28
$56.57
Estimated Tolls: $3.64
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(28 mi)$3.64
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
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
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, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Blink
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
EVgo
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 5
Blink: 1
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.21
$5.12
EV Truck/SUV
51.2
0
$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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Pulaski, PA
Evening
in Pulaski on Thursday
Local time
5:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Evening
in Altoona on Thursday
Local time
5:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Lakewood, NY
64 mi in
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
16 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
2h 57m 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 Pulaski, PA to Altoona, PA covers 128.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are William Penn Highway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Admiral Peary Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64 miles from Pulaski, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.24 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Sunflower Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Pulaski, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Monroeville and Bedford.
