South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Altoona, PA to Skippack, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
228.1 mi
367 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Skippack, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Altoona, PA to Skippack, PA is 228.1 miles and takes about 4 hours 25 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. You'll encounter a high percentage of highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a relatively quick transit between these two points in the Keystone State.
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
114.1 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 174.3 mi | 3h 9m |
| I 99 | 32.1 mi | 34m |
| Bridge Road | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| State Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West 3rd Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Trappe Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| 17th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Collegeville Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 174.3 mi, about 3h 9m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Skippack, 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
174 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 320
Toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right
206 ft
·
5 sec
Toward PA 29 North: Phoenixville
16
Turn slight right onto PA 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Morehall Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto PA 29
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
State Road
18
Continue on PA 29
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Main Street
19
Continue on PA 29
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Manavon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto PA 29
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Starr Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto PA 29
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
22
Continue on PA 29
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Collegeville Road
23
Turn left onto Black Rock Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Black Rock Road
24
Turn right onto PA 113
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Trappe Road
25
Continue on PA 113
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West 3rd Avenue
26
Continue on PA 113
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Bridge Road
27
Turn right onto PA 73
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Skippack Pike
28
Arrive at destination
PA 73
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour 25-minute drive, starting in the morning will give you ample time to reach Skippack without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop and a substantial highway share, you can choose to stop midway for a break or push through to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 174.3-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as services can be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is around $38, so factor that into your budget.
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 114.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.3 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 50 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 7m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Skippack, 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 228.1 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 174.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.1 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Bomansville Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 211.1 — 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
5
36 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
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
211.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 320
Toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.37 one way
$72.74 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $40.25 | $80.50 |
| premium | $4.81 | $43.18 | $86.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.07 | $86.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.66
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(174.3 mi)
$22.66
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
$36
Tolls
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.4 | 0 | $23.95 | $10.95 |
| Efficient EV | 57 | 0 | $19.96 | $9.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.2 | 1 | $31.93 | $14.60 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Altoona, PA
Late night in Altoona on Monday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph
49% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:09PM EDT until July 18 at 3:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Skippack, PA
Late night in Skippack on Monday
Local time
5:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 10 mph
98% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 2:09PM EDT until July 18 at 3:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued July 18 at 1:55PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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 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 25m 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
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 118
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 212.4
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 157.3
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 204.5
View on nps.gov
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 15.7
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 31.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 90% of the 228.1 miles on high-speed roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 174.3 miles, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The transition to surface roads, like Bridge Road, will occur later in the trip. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits on the initial highway portions.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lexington Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.1 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,203 ft
187 ft
Total Climb
207 ft
Total Descent
1,184 ft
Highest Point
1,203 ft
~48.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,017 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Skippack, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Malvern.
Pittsburgh
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Harrisburg
35.1 mi in
|
~40m
Patp: Pittsburgh
36.2 mi in
|
~42m
Malvern
211.1 mi in
|
~3h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Altoona, PA
Full guide →Founded 1849
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
Arriving in Skippack, PA
Full guide →Skippack Village is located in Montgomery County in the US state of Pennsylvania. It is a charming little town full of boutiques, shops, restaurants, and a beautiful rustic Italian hotel. Great for a day trip or a weekend getaway and close to Philadelphia, King of Prussia, and others, without the feel of the city.
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 4h 25m. Total distance: 228.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.66 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 16 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 Skippack, 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 16 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 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Skippack, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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