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Trip from Altoona, PA to Pittston, 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

3h 30m

Distance

179.9 mi

290 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 18m ★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 23m

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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city in northeastern Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

Pittston, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 179.9-mile drive from Altoona, PA, to Pittston, PA, is estimated to take about 3 hours and 30 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll navigate through local roads for the entirety of the journey, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $30, and you're looking at one primary stop. Given its relatively short duration and local road profile, this trip is ideal for a single day, offering a straightforward journey through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania.

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

89.9 miles from Altoona, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 99.3 mi 1h 47m
I 99 46.9 mi 52m
I 81 23.1 mi 29m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard 2.8 mi 4m
6th Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Oak Street 1.2 mi 2m
William Street 0.7 mi 1m
Greenwood Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

99 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Keystone Shortway
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 260B Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
16

Merge onto I 81

23 mi · 29 min · I 81
17

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Dupont, Pittston
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Dupont, Pittston
19

Continue on PA 315

405 ft · 6 sec · Chestnut Street
20

Turn left onto Oak Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · Oak Street
21

Turn right onto South Township Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Township Boulevard
22

Turn sharp left onto US 11

0.7 mi · 1 min · William Street
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto US 11

0.2 mi · 33 sec · North Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 30-minute drive, leaving early can help you maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially since it's a turn-heavy local route. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $30, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your navigation as you'll be on local roads for the full 179.9 miles. A practical tip for this specific route: be aware that you'll be navigating through various towns and intersections, so staying attentive to posted speed limits and traffic signals will be key to a smooth and timely arrival in Pittston.

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 89.9 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 40 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.9 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittston, 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 179.9 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 99.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lock Haven, PA

90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carroll, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.9 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 99.3 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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 179 — 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
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
7
177 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward PA 315 North: Dupont, Pittston

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

Toward PA 315 North: Dupont, Pittston
7
179 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | US 11 / William Street

Turn sharp left onto US 11 / William Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.83 one way

$59.65 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $32.67 $65.33
premium $4.93 $34.89 $69.78
diesel $5.61 $39.72 $79.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54 0 $18.89 $8.64
Efficient EV 45 0 $15.74 $7.20
EV Truck/SUV 72 0 $25.19 $11.51

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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 16, 2026

Origin

Altoona, PA

Morning in Altoona on Tuesday

Local time

8:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Pittston, PA

Morning in Pittston on Tuesday

Local time

8:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°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

21 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 30m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 179.9 miles between Altoona and Pittston, as this route has a 0% highway share. The route is characterized by frequent turns and transitions on local roads like Lexington Avenue, 8th Street, and 6th Avenue. There isn't a defined 'longest stretch' without turns, so be prepared to adjust your speed and focus frequently. This drive offers a constant engagement with the local landscape rather than long, uninterrupted highway cruising.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 179.9 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 53.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

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 3h 30m. Total distance: 179.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.3 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 Pittston, 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 53.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pittston, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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