Altoona, PA to Pen Argyl, PA is 203.6 miles and takes about 4h 3m via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. With just over 4 hours of driving time and a mixed highway and surface road profile, this route is a solid option for a single-day excursion. The relatively low fuel cost and manageable distance make it an accessible drive for most.
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
101.8 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
122.9 mi
2h 15m
I 99
46.9 mi
52m
PA 115
15.1 mi
22m
Old Route 115
3.3 mi
5m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
PA 33
2.4 mi
3m
US 209
2.2 mi
4m
West Pennsylvania Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 122.9 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,088 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,580
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Pen Argyl, 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: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
123 mi·2 hr 15 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward PA 115: Brodheadsville, Blakeslee
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
17
Turn straight onto PA 115
15 mi·22 min·PA 115
18
Enter roundabout onto US 209
265 ft·3 sec·US 209
19
Continue on US 209
2.1 mi·4 min·US 209
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·27 sec
21
Turn straight onto Old Route 115
3.3 mi·5 min·Old Route 115
22
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
23
Merge onto PA 33
2.4 mi·3 min·PA 33
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward Wind GapUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
At end of road, turn left onto Broadway (Old Route 115)
0.5 mi·51 sec·Broadway (Old Route 115)
26
Turn left onto Alpha Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Alpha Road
27
Turn left onto PA 512
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Lehigh Avenue
28
Continue on PA 512
1.8 mi·3 min·West Pennsylvania Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
PA 512
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Pen Argyl. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; the data suggests only one stop is typical. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before departing Altoona, as highway stretches can be long. The longest stretch is over 120 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly before getting too far into that segment. This route is manageable enough that you can decide on your stop on the fly if needed.
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 101.8 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.9 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pen Argyl, 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 203.6 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 122.9 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 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.
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
$35.56 one way
$71.12 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$38.93
$77.86
premium
$5.20
$41.65
$83.30
diesel
$6.28
$50.31
$100.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Friday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Pen Argyl, PA
Morning
in Pen Argyl on Friday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Montgomery, PA
102 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
25 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 3m 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.
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...
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 203.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 35% of this 203.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 122.9 miles along the Keystone Shortway. After that, expect a shift to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Given the highway percentage, anticipate a blend of higher-speed cruising and potentially more local traffic as you transition off the main interstates.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.9 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 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 23 significant decision points across 203.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,769 ft570 ft
Total Climb
1,785 ft
Total Descent
2,123 ft
Highest Point
1,769 ft
~174.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,199 ft
Notable High Points
1,769 ft at ~174.5 miles+525 ft prominence
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 Pen Argyl, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Blakeslee along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 203.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Pen Argyl, 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 19 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 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 — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Pen Argyl, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
