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Trip from Altoona, PA to Minersville, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

154.1 mi

248 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m

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

borough in central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States

Minersville, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Altoona, PA to Minersville, PA is 154.1 miles and takes about 2h 57m via Keystone Shortway and I 99, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. It's a relatively short drive, making it a comfortable one-day excursion. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so expect some variety in your journey. Plan for a straightforward trip with a manageable duration and cost.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.1 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 63.4 mi 1h 8m
I 99 46.9 mi 52m
State Route 54 11.1 mi 13m
Elysburg Road 9.7 mi 11m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Continental Boulevard 2.9 mi 3m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard 2.8 mi 4m
Fairgrounds Road 2.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 63.4 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

31 mi · 32 min · I 99; US 220
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

4.0 mi · 4 min · I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

12 mi · 14 min · I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
13

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto I 80; US 220

63 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Keystone Shortway
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
16

Turn slight left

79 ft · 2 sec
17

Turn right onto PA 54

2.9 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on PA 54

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Factory Street
19

Continue on PA 54

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
20

Turn left onto PA 54

9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on PA 54

11 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
22

Continue on PA 901

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Locust Gap Highway
23

Continue on PA 901

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
24

Continue on PA 901

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
25

Continue on PA 901

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Sunbury Street
26

Turn right onto South 3rd Street

257 ft · 14 sec · South 3rd Street
27

Turn left onto South Street

117 ft · 5 sec · South Street
28

Arrive at destination

South Street

Trip Plan

For this 154.1-mile journey, leaving in the morning from Altoona will give you ample time to reach Minersville well before evening, even with a brief stop. The total drive time is under 3 hours, so you won't need to split it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant town is 63.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway, and the estimated fuel cost is around $26. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but planning to leave by mid-morning ensures a relaxed pace.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 34 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.1 miles or 1h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minersville, 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 154.1 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 63.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Carroll, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carroll, PA

77 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

State College, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lock Haven, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.1 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.

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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 53.6 — 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
6
37.3 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 99; US 220; US 322

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
41.2 mi into trip | ~48m in | I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
53.6 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.55 one way

$51.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $27.98 $55.96
premium $4.93 $29.89 $59.77
diesel $5.61 $34.02 $68.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.2 0 $16.18 $7.40
Efficient EV 38.5 0 $13.48 $6.16
EV Truck/SUV 61.6 0 $21.57 $9.86

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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 20, 2026

Origin

Altoona, PA

Late night in Altoona on Tuesday

Local time

5:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minersville, PA

Late night in Minersville on Tuesday

Local time

5:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

59°F

Carroll, PA

77 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

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

2h 57m 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.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

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...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 154.1
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 38% of it being highway. You'll spend a significant portion of the 154.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, including the longest stretch of 63.4 miles without a major interruption. The drive transitions between faster highway sections and likely more local road segments as you progress towards Minersville. Be prepared for the road's personality to shift, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.

38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 154.1 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 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Altoona, PA to Minersville, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.

Washingtonville

117.2 mi in | ~2h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in Altoona, PA

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in Minersville, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1783

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 154.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (38%). 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 63.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Minersville, 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 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood 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 Minersville, 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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