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Trip from Altoona, PA to Hilltown, 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 28m

Distance

110.1 mi

177 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 19m ★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Hilltown, PA, PA

Hilltown, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

Connecting Altoona to Hilltown covers a 110.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Because this route stays entirely within Pennsylvania and avoids highways, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trek between these two Northeast locations. Navigating through local roads like Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 7th Avenue creates a distinct experience compared to standard interstate travel. Since the entire distance is manageable in a single afternoon, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

55.1 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 99 32.1 mi 34m
Lincoln Highway 20.7 mi 29m
Lincoln Way West 17.2 mi 25m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 15.5 mi 16m
Lincoln Way East 10.1 mi 16m
Chambersburg Road 6.1 mi 8m
I 70 1.9 mi 3m
17th Street 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 99 — 32.1 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Hilltown, 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

17 mi · 25 min · Lincoln Way West
18

Continue on US 30

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Loudon Street
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on US 30

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Queen Street
20

Merge onto US 30

10 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Way East
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 30

6.1 mi · 8 min · Chambersburg Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Take the exit

184 ft · 5 sec
23

Turn slight right onto High Street

361 ft · 13 sec · High Street
24

Turn right onto Hilltown Road

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Hilltown Road
25

Arrive at destination

Hilltown Road

Trip Plan

Given the local nature of this 110.1-mile drive, flexibility is your greatest asset since you aren't tied to high-speed highway traffic patterns. Plan to depart during daylight hours, as the reliance on local roads like 7th Avenue and 8th Street makes visibility especially important for navigating turns. Because there are no scheduled stops provided for this route, ensure your tank is ready for the $18 fuel expenditure before you pull out of Altoona. Since the drive is under three hours, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to build in lengthy rest breaks. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the lack of highway signage means you will be making frequent turns throughout the journey.

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 55.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 5m 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 24 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 55.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 Hilltown, 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 110.1 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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.

Downtown Charlestown, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlestown, PA

55 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

King, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.1 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 54.2 — 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.
5
35.1 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.25 one way

$36.51 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $19.99 $39.98
premium $4.93 $21.35 $42.70
diesel $5.61 $24.31 $48.62

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

$18

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33 0 $11.56 $5.28
Efficient EV 27.5 0 $9.63 $4.40
EV Truck/SUV 44 0 $15.41 $7.05

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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 18, 2026

Origin

Altoona, PA

Morning in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

6:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hilltown, PA

Morning in Hilltown on Sunday

Local time

6:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°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 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 28m 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

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
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

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 34.2
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

National Monument

More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 110.1
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, placing you squarely on local roads for the duration of the trip. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches here, as even Lexington Avenue requires constant navigation rather than steady cruising. The character of the road is technical and consistent, favoring those who prefer active driving over high-speed transit. Prepare for a winding experience that keeps you engaged as you transition between the various local streets.

45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 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?

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 16 significant decision points across 110.1 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Hilltown, 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 28m. Total distance: 110.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (45%). 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 Hilltown, 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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 Hilltown, 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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