Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
54m
Distance
41.6 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
State College, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Embarking on a journey from Altoona, PA, to State College, PA, covers a manageable 41.6 miles and typically takes about 54 minutes. This drive is firmly focused on highway travel, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it an ideal day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of around $7, this short hop is quite economical. You'll remain within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region, and will find the entire trip can be completed comfortably in a single day. The primary roads you'll navigate include I-99 and US 322 Business, offering a straightforward path to your destination.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 30.6 mi | 32m |
| US 322 Business | 4.1 mi | 9m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| 6th Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Greenwood Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Sabbath Rest Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 8th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Beaver Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and State College, PA.
Start on 7th Street
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
Turn left onto 8th Street
Turn left onto PA 764
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
Turn left onto PA 764
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
Turn right onto PA 764
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 99; US 220
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 Business
Turn left onto PA 26
Turn right onto South Allen Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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.
A short stop after about 41.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Altoona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 41.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 8th Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Tyrone
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 Business toward US 322 Business: Atherton Street, State College
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto South Allen Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$6.90 one way
$13.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $7.55 | $15.11 |
| premium | $4.93 | $8.07 | $16.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.18 | $18.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:13AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Morning in State College on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, designed for efficient travel. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-99 and other main roads, accounting for 83% of the total mileage. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a solid 30.6 miles on I-99, allowing for a good period of consistent speed. While not a winding scenic route, the highway setting provides a predictable and smooth ride for most of the 54-minute journey, making it easy to maintain momentum.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 99 and US 322 Business. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Lexington Avenue.
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 41.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.2 miles (8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
806 ft
Total Descent
821 ft
Highest Point
1,543 ft
~23.8 mi in
Elevation Range
544 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 54m. Total distance: 41.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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