Aston, PA to Altoona, PA is 226.3 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards its western part. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a largely efficient drive with minimal time spent on surface roads.
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
113.1 miles from Aston, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
167 mi
3h 1m
I 99
32.7 mi
35m
PA 100
7.5 mi
11m
Wilmington Pike
4.7 mi
8m
Baltimore Pike
3.8 mi
6m
US 202
3.5 mi
5m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Valleybrook Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 167 mi, about 3h 1m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Aston, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Aston Mills Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·Aston Mills Road
2
Continue on Birney Highway
0.4 mi·45 sec·Birney Highway
3
Enter roundabout onto Birney Highway
84 ft·1 sec·Birney Highway
4
Continue on Birney Highway
0.2 mi·16 sec·Birney Highway
5
Continue on Llewellyn Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Llewellyn Road
6
Turn right onto Valleybrook Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Valleybrook Road
7
Turn left onto US 1
3.8 mi·6 min·Baltimore Pike
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 202; US 322
4.7 mi·8 min·Wilmington Pike
9
Take the exit onto US 202; US 322
3.5 mi·5 min·US 202; US 322
Toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, DowningtownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto PA 100
7.5 mi·11 min·PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: ExtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward PATP
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
13
Merge onto I 76; PATP
167 mi·3 hr 1 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi·35 min·I 99; US 220
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
21
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
22
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
23
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
24
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this one-day trip, consider an early morning departure from Aston, PA, to maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in how you pace your drive. The longest stretch is 167 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so ensure you're fueled up before starting that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as highway services can sometimes be spread out, especially as you get further into the drive towards Altoona.
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 113.1 miles from Aston, PA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167 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 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.1 miles or 2h 15m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aston, 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 Aston, PA
This is one driving day of about 226.3 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Aston, 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 167 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.9 and 190.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.9 mi into trip|~19m in|US 202; US 322
Take the exit onto US 202; US 322 toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, Downingtown
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.
Toward US 202 North, US 322 West: Paoli, Downin...
6
14.4 mi into trip|~24m in|PA 100
Take the exit onto PA 100 toward PA 100 North: Exton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 100 North: Exton
7
189.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
6
190.2 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the ramp toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
7
190.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.83 one way
$79.65 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$43.55
$87.10
premium
$5.23
$46.56
$93.12
diesel
$6.18
$55.05
$110.10
Estimated Tolls: $21.71
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(167 mi)$21.71
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
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
EV Truck/SUV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Aston, PA
Night
in Aston on Saturday
Local time
11:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy
N 10 to 15 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Altoona, PA
Night
in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
11:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
N 8 to 12 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM 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
4 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 21m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 109.2
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 15.6
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 70.2
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With a 93% highway share, this drive is mostly on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 167 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike before transitioning to I-99. The final portion of your trip will involve PA 100, which will likely feel more like local cruising after the extensive highway time. Expect a steady pace for most of the drive.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 10.9 miles in near US 202; US 322.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 226.3 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 10.9 miles (US 202; US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,231 ft241 ft
Total Climb
1,255 ft
Total Descent
333 ft
Highest Point
1,231 ft
~177.7 mi in
Elevation Range
989 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Aston, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Johnstown.
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 4h 21m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $21.71 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 Altoona, 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 10.9 miles (US 202; US 322): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, First State National Historical Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park (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 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
