Traveling from Altoona to Clairton covers 104.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the journey, making it a relatively affordable trip across Pennsylvania. Your route will primarily utilize the William Penn Highway, US 22, and the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Because both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, you will stay consistent with the local landscape throughout the drive. It’s a straightforward route that provides a reliable connection between these two Pennsylvania points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.1 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
34.2 mi
47m
US 22
30.5 mi
39m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
8.1 mi
8m
PA 136
5.5 mi
8m
Hayden Boulevard
4.9 mi
7m
East Main Street
4.8 mi
7m
6th Avenue
3.6 mi
6m
Greensburg Pike
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 34.2 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Clairton, 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
0.3 mi·34 sec·8th Street
4
Turn right onto PA 764
1.8 mi·2 min·7th Avenue
5
Continue on PA 764
3.6 mi·6 min·6th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
7
Continue on US 22
0.3 mi·21 sec·US 22
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
30 mi·39 min·US 22
Toward US 22 West: EbensburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward PA 66: Greensburg, DelmontUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
417 ft·16 sec
Toward PA 66 South: GreensburgUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto PA 66
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 66
Toward PA 66 South: GreensburgUse the left lane.
13
Continue on PA Tpke 66
8.1 mi·8 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4Toward PA 136: Greensburg, West Newton
15
Turn slight right
145 ft·3 sec
16
Turn straight onto PA 136
412 ft·11 sec·West Newton Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto PA 136
5.5 mi·8 min·PA 136
18
Turn right onto PA 136
2.7 mi·4 min·West Newton Road
19
Continue on PA 136
3.2 mi·4 min·Greensburg Pike
20
At end of road, turn right onto PA 136
0.4 mi·34 sec·Mount Pleasant Road
21
Continue on PA 136
4.8 mi·7 min·East Main Street
22
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·21 sec
23
Merge onto PA 51
4.9 mi·7 min·Hayden Boulevard
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward PA 837 North: Clairton
25
Turn straight onto PA 837
1.2 mi·1 min·State Street
26
Turn left onto Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi·55 sec·Saint Clair Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto 3rd Street
43 ft·1 sec·3rd Street
28
Arrive at destination
3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to schedule formal stops to break up the 104.1-mile distance, as the route is short enough to drive in one go. Keep your budget in mind by setting aside about $17 for fuel before you head out. Because the route relies on a mix of highways and local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits and traffic patterns when transitioning off the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Take advantage of the lack of required stops to enjoy the simplicity of the trip and arrive at your destination refreshed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.2 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.1 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clairton, 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 104.1 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Altoona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 34.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 71.2 — 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.
7
6.5 mi into trip|~11m in|US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
7
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont
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 PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont
8
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
7
71.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|PA 66 / State Route 66
Merge onto PA 66 / State Route 66 toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.26 one way
$34.52 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$18.90
$37.80
premium
$4.93
$20.19
$40.38
diesel
$5.61
$22.98
$45.97
Estimated Tolls: $0.57
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(8.1 mi)$0.57
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.2
0
$10.93
$5.00
Efficient EV
26
0
$9.11
$4.16
EV Truck/SUV
41.6
0
$14.57
$6.66
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 20, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clairton, PA
Morning
in Clairton on Tuesday
Local time
9:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
9 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 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving experience, balancing high-speed transit with local road navigation. Only 35% of your journey is spent on highways, so be prepared for a variety of road conditions as you transition between larger thoroughfares and smaller connectors. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 34.2 miles while traveling along the William Penn Highway, which serves as the backbone of your trip. The drive doesn't lean entirely on monotonous interstate travel, instead requiring you to stay alert as the road character shifts. Expect a functional drive that moves you efficiently through the Pennsylvania landscape without feeling like a purely repetitive highway haul.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.2 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 104.1 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 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Clairton, PA, road signs point toward Delmont and Newton.
Altoona is a city in central Pennsylvania. Altoona was founded as a railroad town by the Pennsylvania Railroad as the site of their Altoona Works shops, and its history as a railroad town still shows in the town today despite the decline of the railroad and its eventual absorption into Penn Central, Conrail, and now Norfolk Southern.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 104.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.2 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.57 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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.
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 Clairton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Lexington Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 22): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clairton, PA before heading back.
