Altoona, PA to Athens, PA is 183.6 miles and takes about 3h 38m via US 220, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that makes for a convenient one-day journey. Expect a relatively quick transit time, making it ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a fuel cost of approximately $30.
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
91.8 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
64.3 mi
1h 14m
I 99
46.9 mi
52m
Susquehanna Beltway
25 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
12.3 mi
13m
Appalachian Thruway
10.4 mi
11m
Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway
5.7 mi
6m
Lycoming Mall Drive
5 mi
5m
Nittany Valley Drive
4.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 64.3 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Athens, PA.
1
Start on 7th Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·7th Street
2
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
257 ft·16 sec·Lexington Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto 8th Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·8th Street
4
Turn left onto PA 764
1.6 mi·2 min·6th Avenue
5
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Greenwood Road
6
Turn left onto PA 764
0.2 mi·21 sec·East Walton Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi·4 min·East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
8
Turn right onto PA 764
0.6 mi·1 min·Sabbath Rest Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone
10
Merge onto I 99; US 220
31 mi·32 min·I 99; US 220
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
13
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
12 mi·13 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward PA 64: Pleasant Gap, Mill Hall
16
Turn left onto PA 64
4.5 mi·7 min·Nittany Valley Drive
17
Turn right onto PA 477
345 ft·6 sec·Long Run Road
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·39 sec
19
Turn sharp left onto US 220
5.7 mi·6 min·Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway
20
Continue on US 220
0.3 mi·17 sec·Appalachian Thwy
21
Continue on US 220
10 mi·11 min·Appalachian Thruway
22
Continue on US 220
25 mi·30 min·Susquehanna Beltway
23
Take the exit onto US 220
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 220
Toward US 220 north: Halls, Pennsdale
24
Turn left onto US 220
5.0 mi·5 min·Lycoming Mall Drive
25
Turn left onto US 220
64 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 220
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto PA 199
1.7 mi·2 min·PA 199
27
Arrive at destination
PA 199
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 38 minutes, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow for any unexpected delays or to break up the drive with a brief stop, though only one stop is factored into the planning. The longest stretch without a major exit is 64.3 miles on US 220, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the mid-point of the drive, as service availability can vary.
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 91.8 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.8 miles or 1h 50m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Altoona, 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 Altoona, PA
This is one driving day of about 183.6 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Altoona, 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 US 220 for about 64.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 53.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Lexington Avenue
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone
6
37.3 mi into trip|~44m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
41.2 mi into trip|~48m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
53.6 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.44 one way
$60.88 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$33.34
$66.67
premium
$4.93
$35.61
$71.21
diesel
$5.61
$40.54
$81.07
Estimated Tolls: $0.73
Appalachian Thruway
(10.4 mi)$0.73
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.1
0
$19.28
$8.81
Efficient EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
EV Truck/SUV
73.4
0
$25.70
$11.75
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 16, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Athens, PA
Morning
in Athens on Sunday
Local time
7:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Williamsport, PA
92 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
35 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 38m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 220, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 64.3 miles. While the primary roads are designed for efficiency, the landscape can offer a changing backdrop as you travel north. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the Susquehanna Beltway also playing a role in the latter stages of the drive. It's a drive that prioritizes getting you there with minimal fuss.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.3 mi on US 220.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 220 and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lexington Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 183.6 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 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Altoona, PA and Athens, PA, road signs point toward Mill Hall and Pennsdale.
Mill Hall
66.1 mi in|~1h 17m
Pennsdale
112.6 mi in|~2h 15m|via US 220
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 183.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.3 miles on US 220. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.73 in tolls one way, starting with Appalachian Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Athens, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Athens, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
