Embarking on the drive from Altoona, PA, to Tinicum, PA, covers 242.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. This journey is best tackled in a single day, as it's a manageable distance for a road trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I-99, with about 40% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $40, making it an economical choice. The drive offers a mixed experience, suitable for those looking for a straightforward yet engaging trip within 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
121.3 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
116.1 mi
2h 7m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
50.4 mi
54m
I 99
46.9 mi
52m
Doylestown Pike
2.9 mi
4m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
John Fries Highway
2.7 mi
3m
West Broad Street
2.6 mi
6m
Dark Hollow Road
2.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 116.1 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Tinicum, 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: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
116 mi·2 hr 7 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PA 940, PATP, I 476: Wilkes-Barre, Allentown
Exit 44Toward PA 663: Pottstown, QuakertownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·7 sec
Toward PA 663 North: QuakertownUse the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto PA 663
2.7 mi·3 min·John Fries Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on PA 663
1.9 mi·4 min·West Broad Street
23
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 313
0.7 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
24
Continue on PA 313
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Broad Street
25
Continue on PA 313
1.2 mi·2 min·Doylestown Pike
26
Continue on PA 313
1.3 mi·2 min·East Broad Street
27
Continue on PA 313; PA 563
2.3 mi·3 min·West Dublin Pike
28
Continue on PA 313
1.7 mi·2 min·Doylestown Pike
29
Turn left onto PA 113
1.1 mi·2 min·Bedminster Road
30
Turn sharp right onto Elephant Road
302 ft·12 sec·Elephant Road
31
Turn left onto Irish Meetinghouse Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Irish Meetinghouse Road
32
Turn straight onto Deep Run Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Deep Run Road
33
Turn left onto Deep Run Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Deep Run Road
34
Continue on PA 413
0.2 mi·19 sec·Old Easton Road
35
At end of road, turn left onto PA 413
0.2 mi·28 sec·Old Easton Road
36
Continue on Dark Hollow Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Dark Hollow Road
37
At end of road, turn left onto Dark Hollow Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Dark Hollow Road
38
Turn straight onto Smithtown Road
139 ft·6 sec·Smithtown Road
39
Arrive at destination
Smithtown Road
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 48-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Altoona, PA, to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Tinicum, PA, with ample time. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, plan your refueling stops accordingly, though the longest stretch without a significant road change is 116.1 miles. Given its single-day feasibility, you have flexibility in pacing your one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I-99 to ensure smooth progress.
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 121.3 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.1 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tinicum, 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 242.6 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 116.1 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 222.1 — 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.
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
8
221.4 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown
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 44
Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown
7
222.1 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 663 North: Quakertown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 663 North: Quakertown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.22 one way
$80.44 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.05
$88.10
premium
$4.93
$47.05
$94.10
diesel
$5.61
$53.56
$107.13
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(50.4 mi)$6.55
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
$40
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.47
$11.64
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.23
$9.70
EV Truck/SUV
97
1
$33.96
$15.53
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 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
Tinicum, PA
Morning
in Tinicum on Tuesday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
16 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 48m 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.
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 234.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is best described as a mixed bag, with 40% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 116.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, likely offering a more open-road feel. The inclusion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-99 suggests periods of faster travel, interspersed with other road types. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind the entire time, but rather enjoy a varied driving experience as you traverse the state.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 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 27 significant decision points across 242.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,743 ft383 ft
Total Climb
2,288 ft
Total Descent
3,068 ft
Highest Point
1,743 ft
~173.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,360 ft
Notable High Points
1,382 ft at ~86.7 miles+603 ft prominence
1,743 ft at ~173.3 miles+563 ft prominence
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 Tinicum, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Quakertown.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 242.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 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.
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 Tinicum, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Tinicum, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
