Altoona, PA to Lansdale, PA is 240.3 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. With 96% highway driving, expect a relatively straightforward and efficient transit. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing you to cover the distance without needing an overnight stop.
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
120.1 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
188.8 mi
3h 24m
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
9.6 mi
10m
Forty Foot Road
1.7 mi
3m
Welsh Road
1.4 mi
2m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
West Main Street
1 mi
2m
7th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 188.8 mi, about 3h 24m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,140 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Lansdale, 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
189 mi·3 hr 24 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 476 North: Northeast Extension, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
Exit 31AToward PA 63 East: KulpsvilleUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto PA 63
0.2 mi·37 sec·Sumneytown Pike
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto PA 63
1.7 mi·3 min·Forty Foot Road
19
Turn right onto PA 63
1.4 mi·2 min·Welsh Road
20
Continue on PA 63
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
21
Turn right onto South Broad Street
21 ft·0 sec·South Broad Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour driving time, departing Altoona in the morning will allow you to reach Lansdale with plenty of daylight remaining. The $39 fuel estimate is based on the 240.3 miles, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Altoona. Since most of the drive is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, be aware of potential tolls. With a single day sufficient for this trip, you have the flexibility to stop when needed, though the longest stretch of 188.8 miles suggests you might want to plan your first break after covering a significant portion of that distance.
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 120.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.8 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansdale, 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 240.3 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 188.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 235.6 — 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.
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
225.6 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Northeast Extension, Allentown
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 I 476 North: Northeast Extension, Allent...
7
235.6 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward PA 63 East: Kulpsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 31A
Toward PA 63 East: Kulpsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.32 one way
$76.63 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$42.40
$84.81
premium
$4.81
$45.49
$90.97
diesel
$4.80
$45.37
$90.75
Estimated Tolls: $25.79
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(198.4 mi)$25.79
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
$38
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.64
$15.38
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Afternoon
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 to 12 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:42AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Lansdale, PA
Afternoon
in Lansdale on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Smoke then Areas Of Smoke
S 5 to 15 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:42AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
1 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 30m 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...
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 215.4
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 157.4
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$1
near mile 223.7
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 223.7
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 207.1
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 almost the entire 240.3-mile trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 188.8 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience with frequent exits and merges as you navigate between these major arteries.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 240.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,330 ft114 ft
Total Climb
937 ft
Total Descent
1,742 ft
Highest Point
1,330 ft
~17.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,216 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 Lansdale, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Allentown.
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
Lansdale is a town of 16,000 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
This article also covers the nearby communities of North Wales, Souderton, Kulpsville, Harleysville, Doylestown, and Montgomeryville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 240.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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 188.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.79 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.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Lansdale, 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 18 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 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 — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (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 Lansdale, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
