Altoona, PA to Shiloh, PA is 148.3 miles and takes about 2 hours 58 minutes via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll likely find this route to be a convenient choice for a single-day excursion.
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
74.2 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
90.9 mi
1h 39m
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Carlisle Road
8.3 mi
12m
North York Road
5.3 mi
10m
Old York Road
2.7 mi
3m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
US 15
1.2 mi
1m
South Market Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 90.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Shiloh, 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
91 mi·1 hr 39 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 236Toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 15 South: Gettysburg
16
Merge onto US 15
1.2 mi·1 min·US 15
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward PA 114: Bowmansdale, MechanicsburgUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto PA 114
1.2 mi·2 min·South Market Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on North York Road
5.3 mi·10 min·North York Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto Game Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Game Road
21
Turn left onto Old York Road
2.7 mi·3 min·Old York Road
22
Continue on PA 74
5.3 mi·7 min·Carlisle Road
23
Continue on PA 74
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
24
Continue on PA 74
3.0 mi·4 min·Carlisle Road
25
Arrive at destination
PA 74
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan to make one significant stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 90.9-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The straightforward nature of this route means you won't need extensive planning, but confirming your route on I-99 before you depart is always a good idea.
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 74.2 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.9 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.2 miles or 1h 24m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shiloh, 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 148.3 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 90.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 74.2 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 129.6 — 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.
5
35.1 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
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
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, Harrisburg
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 236
Toward US 15: Gettysburg Pike, Gettysburg, Harr...
7
129.6 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward PA 114: Bowmansdale, Mechanicsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 114: Bowmansdale, Mechanicsburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.59 one way
$49.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.93
$53.86
premium
$4.93
$28.76
$57.52
diesel
$5.61
$32.74
$65.49
Estimated Tolls: $11.82
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(90.9 mi)$11.82
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
$25
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 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
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Efficient EV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
EV Truck/SUV
59.3
0
$20.76
$9.49
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive 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
Shiloh, PA
Morning
in Shiloh on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°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
8 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 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect to spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, including a continuous stretch of 90.9 miles. The drive primarily follows well-maintained highways like the Turnpike and I-99, suggesting a consistent pace and minimal slowdowns. While largely a highway experience, elements of Carlisle Road might introduce brief variations before you reach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 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 17 significant decision points across 148.3 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Shiloh, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh, Gettysburg and Mechanicsburg.
Pittsburgh
35.1 mi in|~40m
Harrisburg
35.1 mi in|~40m
Patp: Pittsburgh
36.2 mi in|~42m
Gettysburg
127.7 mi in|~2h 23m
Mechanicsburg
129.6 mi in|~2h 27m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 148.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.82 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.
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 Shiloh, 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Shiloh, PA before heading back.
