Altoona, PA to Richboro, PA is 245 miles and takes about 4h 38m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward drive across the state. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. The recommended single day for this drive means you can get there and back or arrive with plenty of time to spare. It's a practical option for moving between western and eastern Pennsylvania.
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
122.5 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
197.7 mi
3h 34m
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Jacksonville Road
2.4 mi
4m
East Bristol Road
2.3 mi
3m
North 2nd Street Pike
2.1 mi
3m
Blair Mill Road
1.8 mi
4m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
West County Line Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 197.7 mi, about 3h 34m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Richboro, 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
198 mi·3 hr 34 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 343Toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow GroveUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·7 sec
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, HorshamUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddle Air National Guard BaseUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto PA 611
0.4 mi·42 sec·Easton Road
18
Turn right onto Blair Mill Road
1.8 mi·4 min·Blair Mill Road
19
At end of road, turn right onto West County Line Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West County Line Road
20
Turn left onto PA 332
2.4 mi·4 min·Jacksonville Road
21
Turn right onto East Bristol Road
2.3 mi·3 min·East Bristol Road
22
Turn left onto PA 232
2.1 mi·3 min·North 2nd Street Pike
23
Arrive at destination
PA 232
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 38m estimated drive time, leaving Altoona in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Richboro with ample daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the 197.7-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The fuel cost is estimated at $44, so ensure your tank is full before you begin. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but consider traffic patterns as you get closer to the Philadelphia area.
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 122.5 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.7 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richboro, 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 245 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 197.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 235.2 — 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
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
8
234.5 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow Grove
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 343
Toward PA 611: Doylestown, Jenkintown, Willow G...
8
235.1 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham
9
235.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddle Air National Guard Base
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 611 North: Doylestown, Horsham, Biddl...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.33 one way
$86.66 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$47.46
$94.91
premium
$5.24
$50.58
$101.16
diesel
$5.35
$51.60
$103.21
Estimated Tolls: $25.70
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(197.7 mi)$25.70
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
$43
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.5
0
$25.73
$11.76
Efficient EV
61.3
0
$21.44
$9.80
EV Truck/SUV
98
1
$34.30
$15.68
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Evening
in Altoona on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Richboro, PA
Evening
in Richboro on Wednesday
Local time
5:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 38m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 118.3
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 219.7
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 160.5
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$1
near mile 228.1
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 228.1
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 211.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 94% highway, so expect mostly interstate cruising. You'll be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the longest stretch, covering 197.7 miles. After this, you'll transition to I 99 and then Jacksonville Road for the final segment. The dense network of exits on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is something you'll notice, requiring attention as you approach your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.7 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 19 significant decision points across 245 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,386 ft229 ft
Total Climb
867 ft
Total Descent
1,763 ft
Highest Point
1,386 ft
~17.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,157 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 Richboro, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
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 38m. Total distance: 245 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.70 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 Richboro, 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 234.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Richboro, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
