If you are planning a trip from Altoona to West Pikeland, expect a straightforward journey spanning 209.7 miles. You should budget about 3 hours and 58 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable excursion for a single day. The route relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, keeping you within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it is an efficient way to cross the state. Since the drive is under four hours, you do not need to worry about an overnight split, allowing you the flexibility to complete the entire trek in one go.
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
104.8 miles from Altoona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
166.7 mi
3h
I 99
32.1 mi
34m
Kimberton Road
2.2 mi
4m
17th Street
1.2 mi
2m
East Uwchlan Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Yellow Springs Road
1 mi
3m
7th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Pottstown Pike
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 166.7 mi, about 3h
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 West Pikeland, 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
167 mi·3 hr·Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 312Toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West ChesterUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PA 100 South: DowningtownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto PA 100
0.6 mi·52 sec·Pottstown Pike
17
Turn left onto PA 113
1.2 mi·2 min·East Uwchlan Avenue
18
Continue on PA 113
2.2 mi·4 min·Kimberton Road
19
Turn right onto Yellow Springs Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Yellow Springs Road
20
Turn right
464 ft·36 sec
21
Turn left
158 ft·11 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this four-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the turnpike. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the long, 166.7-mile stretch of the turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 cost estimate assumes consistent highway speeds. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to leave mid-morning or early afternoon without feeling rushed. Prioritize your comfort by planning that single stop near the midway point to keep your focus sharp for the remainder of the journey.
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 104.8 miles from Altoona, PA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.7 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.8 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Pikeland, 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 209.7 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 166.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 203.9 — 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
203.5 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
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 312
Toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Che...
7
203.9 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 100 South: Downingtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 100 South: Downingtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.44 one way
$66.87 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$37.00
$74.01
premium
$4.81
$39.69
$79.39
diesel
$4.80
$39.60
$79.19
Estimated Tolls: $21.67
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(166.7 mi)$21.67
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
$33
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.35
$8.39
EV Truck/SUV
83.9
1
$29.36
$13.42
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Altoona, PA
Late night
in Altoona on Monday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 6 to 12 mph86% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:12PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:12PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
West Pikeland, PA
Late night
in West Pikeland on Monday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 to 10 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:12PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 8:12PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 115.7
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 209.7
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 159.1
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 209.7
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 21.7
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 36.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel spent on major corridors. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 166.7 miles—cruising along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which defines the personality of this drive. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience that favors speed over winding backroads. As you move away from the I-99 corridor and transition onto the turnpike, the road maintains a steady, predictable rhythm. Once you exit toward Kimberton Road for the final leg, the environment shifts slightly as you navigate the local roads leading into West Pikeland.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 209.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,829 ft353 ft
Total Climb
1,745 ft
Total Descent
2,539 ft
Highest Point
1,829 ft
~59.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,476 ft
Notable High Points
1,829 ft at ~59.9 miles+766 ft prominence
1,562 ft at ~89.9 miles+564 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 West Pikeland, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Patp: Pittsburgh.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 209.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.67 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 West Pikeland, 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 36.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at West Pikeland, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
