Origin
West Penn, PA
Night in West Penn on Wednesday
Local time
11:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Penn, PA to Altoona, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 26m
Distance
173.7 mi
279 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 51m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West Penn, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from West Penn to Altoona covers 173.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you can easily complete it as a straightforward day trip. With a estimated fuel cost of $29, it remains an economical choice for those looking to traverse the state. You will primarily rely on local roads like West Penn Pike, South Center Street, and Mauch Chunk Street rather than major interstates. Planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the travel time and keep your energy levels steady.
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
86.8 miles from West Penn, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route features a 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface roads for the entirety of the 173.7-mile distance. The road's personality is defined by constant adjustments and local navigation, making it a more engaging experience than high-speed motorway driving. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, your pace will be dictated by the flow of local traffic and road geometry. Be prepared for a winding, hands-on journey that keeps you actively involved in the driving process from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 173.7 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 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
19.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m 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
120.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
144.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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,...
5
172 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
6th Avenue Road
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 95.2 mi | 1h 43m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| I 81 | 7 mi | 8m |
| Pine Street | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| State Route 93 | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Clamtown Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Penn, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on PA 443
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Clamtown Road
2
Turn left onto PA 309
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Penn Pike
3
Continue on PA 309
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Center Street
4
Continue on PA 309
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
5
Turn left onto PA 309
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Pine Street
6
Continue on PA 309
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile Hill Road
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
9
Merge onto I 81
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 81
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward PA 93: West Hazleton
11
Keep slight left at fork
294 ft
·
9 sec
12
Turn left onto PA 93
369 ft
·
14 sec
·
Valmont Parkway
13
Continue on PA 93
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 93
14
Continue on PA 93
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Berwick Hazleton Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
16
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Keystone Shortway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
18
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
19
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
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
21
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
22
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
23
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
24
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
25
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
27
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
28
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
29
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
30
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
31
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to depart during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility while navigating local roads like Mauch Chunk Street. Budgeting for your $29 in fuel is simple, but keep an eye on your gauge as you move through these local stretches where services might be spaced differently than on a major highway. With a 3 hour and 26 minute duration, plan your single stop roughly halfway through the trip to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush through the turns. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS routing before you pull out, as the reliance on local streets means missing a single turn can significantly alter your ETA.
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 86.8 miles from West Penn, PA, or about 1h 47m 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 38 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 50m
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 West Penn, 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 West Penn, PA
This is one driving day of about 173.7 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from West Penn, 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 86.8 mi from West Penn, PA · 1h 47m 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from West Penn, 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
$28.80 one way
$57.59 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.54 | $63.08 |
| premium | $4.93 | $33.69 | $67.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.35 | $76.70 |
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: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.1 | 0 | $18.24 | $8.34 |
| Efficient EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.32 | $11.12 |
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
Night in Altoona on Wednesday
Local time
11:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Carroll, PA
87 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
6 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
3h 26m 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 West Penn, PA to Altoona, PA covers 173.7 miles and takes about 3h 26m 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 86.8 miles from West Penn, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.80 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 173.7 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 19.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 119.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.2 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from West Penn, PA to Altoona, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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