Altoona to Erie is 219 miles and takes about 4 hours 12 minutes via Keystone Shortway and I-79, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some potentially slower stretches. With a recommended one-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time. This route is a straightforward option for connecting these two Pennsylvania cities without extensive planning.
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
109.5 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
102.7 mi
1h 50m
I 79
65.8 mi
1h 10m
Tyrone Pike
13 mi
19m
I 99
12.2 mi
13m
Philipsburg Bigler Highway
7.1 mi
8m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
Woodland Bigler Highway
2.8 mi
3m
West 12th Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Erie, 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
12 mi·13 min·I 99; US 220
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PA 350: Bald Eagle
12
Turn left onto US 220 Business
0.8 mi·1 min·I-99 Access
13
Continue on PA 350
13 mi·19 min·Tyrone Pike
14
Continue on PA 350
1.4 mi·2 min·South Centre Street
15
Continue on US 322; PA 53
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Front Street
16
Continue on US 322
7.1 mi·8 min·Philipsburg Bigler Highway
17
Continue on US 322
2.8 mi·3 min·Woodland Bigler Highway
18
Turn right onto PA 970
1.6 mi·2 min·Shawville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
20
Merge onto I 80
103 mi·1 hr 50 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 79 North: Erie
22
Merge onto I 79
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 79
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 183AToward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
24
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.3 mi·4 min·West 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto State Street
0.4 mi·1 min·State Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
Given this route can be completed in about 4 hours and 12 minutes, you can comfortably start your drive any time in the morning and still arrive with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is over 100 miles, so plan for a mid-drive break. With a fuel cost estimated around $36, be sure to check your fuel levels before departing Altoona, as services can vary. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your schedule based on traffic or your personal pace.
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 109.5 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.5 miles or 2h 10m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Erie, 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 219 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 102.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 218.6 — 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
5
46.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
216 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 183A
Toward PA 5 East, PA 290 East: 12th Street
6
218.6 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|State Street
Turn left onto State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.31 one way
$72.61 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.76
$79.53
premium
$4.93
$42.47
$84.94
diesel
$5.61
$48.35
$96.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
Tesla Supercharger
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Tesla
1 DCFC
Pilot Flying J Charging Station
Brookville, Pennsylvania
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla: 1
Other: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.16
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Erie, PA
Morning
in Erie on Sunday
Local time
6:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 13 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 3:52AM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 19 at 1:11AM EDT until April 20 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
17 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
4h 12m 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.
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 drive offers a mixed profile, with 36% of the journey on highways. You'll experience 102.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which provides a good stretch of uninterrupted travel. The route likely transitions between faster-paced highway sections and more varied terrain as you progress toward Erie. Be prepared for the road conditions to change, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 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 102.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lexington Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 219 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, PA to Erie, PA covers 219 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 79, Tyrone Pike. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.5 miles from Altoona, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.31 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 46.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Altoona, PA to Erie, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial.
