Altoona, PA to Jenkintown, PA is 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 29m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the western part of the state and heading east. The route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, it's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
119.2 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
193.3 mi
3h 29m
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Fort Washington Expressway
3.7 mi
4m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
Washington Lane
1.1 mi
2m
Fort Washington Fort Washington Expressway
0.8 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Greenwood Avenue
0.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 193.3 mi, about 3h 29m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Jenkintown, 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
193 mi·3 hr 29 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 339Toward PA 309: Philadelphia, AmblerUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward PA 309 South: Philadelphia, Fort Washington
16
Turn right
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward PA 309 South: PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto PA 309
1.4 mi·1 min·Fort Washington Expressway
18
Continue on PA 309
0.8 mi·1 min·Fort Washington Fort Washington Expressway
19
Continue on PA 309
2.2 mi·3 min·Fort Washington Expressway
20
Continue on PA 309
514 ft·21 sec·Limekiln Pike
21
Turn left onto Greenwood Avenue
387 ft·15 sec·Greenwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on Greenwood Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Greenwood Avenue
23
Turn right onto PA 73
0.6 mi·1 min·Church Road
24
Turn left onto PA 73
1.1 mi·2 min·Washington Lane
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto PA 611
0.2 mi·46 sec·Old York Road
26
Turn right onto West Avenue
179 ft·6 sec·West Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
West Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving mid-morning is a good bet, allowing you to avoid the peak rush hour in both your origin and destination areas. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, ensure your tank is full before you depart Altoona. The drive is manageable enough that you can be flexible with your departure time and take advantage of any spontaneous detours if desired.
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 119.2 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.3 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 13m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jenkintown, 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 238.5 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 193.3 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 235.9 — 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
8
230.1 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward PA 309: Philadelphia, Ambler
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 339
Toward PA 309: Philadelphia, Ambler
6
230.8 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 309 South: Philadelphia, Fort Washington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 309 South: Philadelphia, Fort Washing...
7
235.9 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|Greenwood Avenue
Turn left onto Greenwood Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.97 one way
$83.94 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$45.90
$91.79
premium
$5.23
$49.07
$98.14
diesel
$6.18
$58.02
$116.04
Estimated Tolls: $25.12
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(193.3 mi)$25.12
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
$42
Tolls
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.39
$15.26
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Evening
in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
8:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
N 8 to 12 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Jenkintown, PA
Evening
in Jenkintown on Saturday
Local time
8:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
N 15 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM 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
4 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 29m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 115.1
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 213.8
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$1
near mile 238.5
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 238.5
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 156.2
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 205.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 96% of this 238.5-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch of highway is 193.3 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect a consistent highway experience for most of the trip, transitioning to the Fort Washington Expressway near the end. Due to the high highway percentage, you'll likely encounter many exits leading to services and other routes.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 193.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. 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 19 significant decision points across 238.5 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 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,308 ft154 ft
Total Climb
948 ft
Total Descent
1,784 ft
Highest Point
1,308 ft
~17 mi in
Elevation Range
1,154 ft
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 Jenkintown, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
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
Jenkintown is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with National Landmarks, an active arts scene, and shops and restaurants. It is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Center City Philadelphia.
Top landmarks
•Jenkintown–Wyncote — SEPTA Regional Rail station
•Jenkins' Town Lyceum Building — building in Jenkintown, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 193.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.12 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Jenkintown, 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. 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 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jenkintown, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
