Origin
Altoona, PA
Late night in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, PA to Vernon, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
174.2 mi
280 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vernon, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
Altoona, PA to Vernon, PA is 174.2 miles and takes about 3h 51m via Keystone Shortway, I 99, and East Water Street, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a mixed driving experience that's manageable for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route offers a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
87.1 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 51.1 mi | 55m |
| I 99 | 46.9 mi | 52m |
| East Water Street | 42.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 180 | 12.4 mi | 13m |
| Tunkhannock Highway | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Graveyard Hill Road | 3.7 mi | 9m |
| PA 405 | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 51.1 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, PA and Vernon, 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: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 80; US 220
51 mi
·
55 min
·
Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 212B
Toward I 180 West: Williamsport
18
Continue on I 180
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 180
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 405: Muncy, Hughesville
20
Turn right onto PA 405
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
PA 405
21
Turn left onto PA 405
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
PA 405
22
Turn right onto PA 118
42 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
East Water Street
23
At end of road, turn left onto PA 415
374 ft
·
17 sec
·
Memorial Highway
24
Turn right onto Joe-Pag Lane
483 ft
·
25 sec
·
Joe-Pag Lane
25
Turn right onto Country Club Road
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Country Club Road
26
Merge onto PA 309
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Tunkhannock Highway
27
Turn right onto Graveyard Hill Road
3.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Graveyard Hill Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto PA 292
470 ft
·
10 sec
·
PA 292
29
Turn right onto School House Road
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
School House Road
30
Arrive at destination
School House Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 51m duration and 174.2-mile distance, leaving Altoona, PA in the morning allows ample time to reach Vernon, PA before evening. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where you anticipate needing a break, to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $29 provides a good baseline for budgeting this single-day trip.
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 87.1 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.1 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 174.2 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 51.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.1 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 53.6 — 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.
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
6
37.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
41.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.88 one way
$57.76 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $31.63 | $63.26 |
| premium | $4.93 | $33.78 | $67.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.46 | $76.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.29 | $8.36 |
| Efficient EV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.24 | $6.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Vernon, PA
Late night in Vernon on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°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
13 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
3h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey features a mixed drive, with 36% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, including a significant uninterrupted segment of 51.1 miles. The inclusion of I 99 suggests periods of faster, more direct travel, while East Water Street likely offers a change of pace. The road character evolves throughout the 3h 51m trip, moving between efficient highway driving and potentially more local road conditions.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 174.2 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 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Altoona, PA to Vernon, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Hughesville along the way.
Hughesville
118 mi in
|
~2h 14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 174.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.1 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Vernon, 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 37.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Vernon, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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