Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Altoona, PA to Emmaus, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 7m
Distance
204.6 mi
329 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 54m
★
6 AM
4h 7m
8 AM
4h 33m
10 AM
4h 16m
12 PM
4h 14m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 32m
8 PM
3h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Emmaus, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Altoona, PA to Emmaus, PA is 204.6 miles and takes about 4h 7m via Keystone Shortway, I 99, and William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads, so plan for varying speeds and road conditions. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short driving time, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.3 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 63.4 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 99 | 46.9 mi | 52m |
| William Penn Highway | 21.6 mi | 26m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| I 78 | 6 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,109 veh/hr typical · worst 1,510
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Emmaus, 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: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
16
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
17
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
19
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
20
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
22
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
24
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
25
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
26
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
27
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
28
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
29
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
30
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
31
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Centre Street
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
34
Merge onto I 78; US 22
22 mi
·
26 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
I 78
Toward I 78 East: New Jersey
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 57
Toward Lehigh Street
Use the slight right lane.
37
Turn right onto Lehigh Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lehigh Street
38
Continue on State Avenue
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
State Avenue
39
Turn right onto East Harrison Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Harrison Street
40
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
87 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd Street
41
Arrive at destination
North 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this roughly 4-hour drive, departing in the morning is ideal to ensure you have ample daylight for the entire trip. Since it's a single-day route, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as fuel availability can vary. The estimated fuel cost is $37, so budget accordingly.
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 102.3 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Emmaus, 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 204.6 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 Keystone Shortway for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.3 miles from Altoona, 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 63.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Allentown Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 202.4 — 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.
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
7
202.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward Lehigh Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward Lehigh Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.62 one way
$65.25 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $36.10 | $72.21 |
| premium | $4.81 | $38.73 | $77.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.63 | $77.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
| Efficient EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.90 | $8.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.64 | $13.09 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Altoona, PA
Late night in Altoona on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 to 10 mph
86% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 9:46PM EDT until July 18 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:46PM EDT until July 19 at 8:45AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Emmaus, PA
Late night in Emmaus on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph
52% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 9:46PM EDT until July 18 at 10:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:46PM EDT until July 19 at 8:45AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
83°F
Danville, PA
102 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
3 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
4h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 155.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 204.6-mile route features a 31% highway share. You'll experience about 63.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to other road types. The drive includes a blend of highway cruising and surface road segments, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns as you move between these sections. Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate both faster highway stretches and potentially slower surface roads.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 204.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,427 ft
353 ft
Total Climb
1,371 ft
Total Descent
2,086 ft
Highest Point
1,427 ft
~87.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,075 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Altoona, PA to Emmaus, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
117.2 mi in
|
~2h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Altoona, PA
Full guide →Founded 1849
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.
Top landmarks
- • Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament — church in Pennsylvania, United States
- • Mishler Theatre — theater and movie theater in Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States
- • Downtown Altoona Historic District — historic district in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Arriving in Emmaus, PA
Full guide →Founded 1759
Emmaus is a borough in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Emmaus borders Allentown, the state's third-largest city, to its north. The borough lies in the center of the highly populated Northeast megalopolis region of the U.S., 22 miles (35 km) southwest of the Skylands and the New Jersey state line, 53 miles (85 km) north of Philadelphia, the nation's sixth-largest city, and 91 miles (146 km) west of New York City, the nation's largest city.
Top landmarks
- • Shelter House — historic house in Pennsylvania, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 204.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Emmaus, 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 10 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 — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Emmaus, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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