Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, PA to Greencastle, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
93.5 mi
150 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greencastle, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Altoona to Greencastle covers 93.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Since this journey is contained entirely within Pennsylvania, it serves as a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to complete the trek. This route relies exclusively on local roads like Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 7th Avenue rather than major interstates. It is an ideal option if you prefer a direct, no-fuss connection between these two Northeast locations. Ultimately, this drive is best suited for those who want to avoid the congestion of high-speed highways in favor of a simpler, local pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| Lincoln Highway | 20.7 mi | 29m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Lemar Road | 7.6 mi | 12m |
| Lincoln Way West | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Buchanan Trail West | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Fort Loudon Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| I 70 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.1 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Greencastle, 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
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn left onto 17th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
32 mi
·
34 min
·
I 99; US 220
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
10
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit onto I 70
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto US 30
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Continue on US 30
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way West
18
Turn right onto PA 75
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Fort Loudon Road
19
Turn left onto Lemar Road
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Lemar Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto PA 16
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Buchanan Trail West
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 16
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
PA 16
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily manage the 2-hour and 2-minute duration in one go without needing to plan for formal rest stops. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for navigation cues as you transition between Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 7th Avenue. Keep your $15 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you have enough to cover the distance without stress. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your turn-by-turn directions beforehand, as the lack of highway miles means you will be navigating local intersections more frequently than on a traditional interstate route.
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 46.8 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.1 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 54m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greencastle, 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 93.5 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Altoona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 99 for about 32.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.8 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 89 — 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
36.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
52.3 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC
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 US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington...
8
54.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg
7
89 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
PA 16 / Buchanan Trail West
At end of road, turn left onto PA 16 / Buchanan Trail West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.50 one way
$31.00 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $16.98 | $33.95 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.13 | $36.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.64 | $41.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(15.5 mi)
$2.02
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
$16
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.82 | $4.49 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.09 | $5.98 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Greencastle, PA
Morning in Greencastle on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Hartley, PA
47 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
5 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
2h 2m 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.
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 19.3
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 32.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a zero-percent highway share. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, with the longest continuous segment being 0 miles on Lexington Avenue. Because you are navigating local streets, the experience requires constant engagement and focus behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by its frequent transitions between local thoroughfares, making it a technical drive that demands your full attention. Prepare for a steady, hands-on journey that keeps you moving through local corridors for the duration of the 93.5-mile trip.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.1 mi on I 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 93.5 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.3 miles (I 70): 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.
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 Greencastle, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington and Gettysburg.
Pittsburgh
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Harrisburg
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Patp: Pittsburgh
36.2 mi in
|
~42m
Baltimore
52.3 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 70
Washington
52.3 mi in
|
~1h
|
via I 70
Gettysburg
54.2 mi in
|
~1h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 93.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.1 miles on I 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.02 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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 Greencastle, 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.3 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Greencastle, PA before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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