Trip from Altoona, PA to Northampton, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 58m

Distance

196.2 mi

316 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 45m ★

6 AM

3h 58m

8 AM

4h 24m

10 AM

4h 7m

12 PM

4h 5m

3 PM

4h 9m

5 PM

4h 23m

8 PM

3h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Northampton, PA

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Trip Overview

This 196.2-mile drive from Altoona, PA, to Northampton, PA, is estimated to take just under 4 hours, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with no highway driving involved, so expect a more engaging and turn-heavy experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32. With only one recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel within the Northeast region. This trip offers a consistent local feel from start to finish, perfect for those who prefer a more direct, non-interstate experience.

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

98.1 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	95.3 mi	1h 43m
I 99	46.9 mi	52m
Riverview Drive	7.2 mi	9m
PA 248	7 mi	9m
Hudson Drive	5.8 mi	8m
West Broad Street	3.8 mi	4m
State Route 93	3.7 mi	7m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard	2.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 95.3 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Northampton, PA.

Start on 7th Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · 7th Street

Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

257 ft · 16 sec · Lexington Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 8th Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · 8th Street

Turn left onto PA 764

1.6 mi · 2 min · 6th Avenue

Turn right onto Greenwood Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Greenwood Road

Turn left onto PA 764

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Walton Avenue

Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Pleasant Valley Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 764

0.6 mi · 1 min · Sabbath Rest Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone

Merge onto I 99; US 220

31 mi · 32 min · I 99; US 220

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.

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

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec

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

Merge onto I 80; US 220

95 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck

Keep slight right at fork

444 ft · 11 sec

Turn straight onto PA 93

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Berwick Hazleton Highway

Continue on PA 93

3.7 mi · 7 min · State Route 93

Continue on PA 93

0.6 mi · 1 min · Valmont Parkway

Continue on PA 93

1.9 mi · 2 min · Susquehanna Boulevard

Continue on PA 93

0.5 mi · 43 sec · North Broad Street

Continue on PA 93; PA 924

3.8 mi · 4 min · West Broad Street

Continue on PA 93

1.0 mi · 1 min · Berwick Street

Continue on PA 93

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Broad Street

Continue on PA 93

5.7 mi · 8 min · Hudson Drive

Continue on State Route 93

2.8 mi · 3 min · Hunter Street

Continue on PA 93

523 ft · 13 sec · Hudson Drive

At end of road, turn left onto US 209

2.5 mi · 3 min · East Catawissa Street

Continue on US 209

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Lehigh Avenue

Continue on US 209

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Lehigh Street

Turn left onto US 209

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Susquehanna Street

Continue on US 209

1.9 mi · 2 min · Mauch Chunk Street

Continue on US 209

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 1st Street

Continue on US 209

0.5 mi · 1 min · North First Street

Continue on US 209

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Bankway Street

Continue on US 209

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Bridge Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto PA 248

7.0 mi · 9 min · PA 248

Use the right lane.

Take the exit

268 ft · 7 sec

Merge onto PA 145

1.4 mi · 1 min · Riverview Drive

Continue on PA 145

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Best Avenue

Continue on PA 145

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Best Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on PA 145

5.8 mi · 8 min · Riverview Drive

Turn left onto 2nd Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · 2nd Street

Turn left onto PA 329

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Main Street

Continue on PA 329

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 21st Street

Turn right onto Main Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 58-minute duration and the local road profile, departing from Altoona in the morning will allow you to reach Northampton with ample time to spare. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially since this is a 196.2-mile trip with a projected fuel cost of $32, and local roads can sometimes lead to slightly less predictable fuel consumption compared to highways. The flexibility of this route means you can adjust your departure and stop times easily to suit your preferences.

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 98.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.3 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 43 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.1 miles or 1h 52m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Northampton, 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 196.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 95.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

California, PA

98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carroll, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.1 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 95.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 126.1

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 154.1

Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 154.1

Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

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.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lexington Avenue

Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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

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.

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

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

$32.53 one way

$65.05 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$35.62	$71.25
premium	$4.93	$38.05	$76.10
diesel	$5.61	$43.32	$86.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	58.9	$20.60	$9.42
Efficient EV	49.1	$17.17	$7.85
EV Truck/SUV	78.5	$27.47	$12.56

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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

Late night in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

5:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Northampton, PA

Late night in Northampton on Sunday

Local time

5:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°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

10 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

3h 58m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 196.2-mile journey, as the highway share is 0%. You'll be navigating through towns and local streets, utilizing roads like Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 6th Avenue. Since there are no long highway stretches, you can anticipate a consistent pace with frequent turns and adjustments. This type of driving experience means you'll be more connected to the local landscape and communities along the way, rather than experiencing the typical speed and monotony of interstate travel.

30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 95.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 9/10

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 23 significant decision points across 196.2 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 Northampton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Nescopeck along the way.

Nescopeck

149.1 mi in | ~2h 47m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 196.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 95.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Northampton, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Northampton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Northampton, PA to Altoona, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

196.1 mi 3h 57m

Explore more options from Altoona, PA or browse trips ending in Northampton, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Trip from Altoona, PA to Northampton, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Altoona, PA

Northampton, PA

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 58m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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