Origin
Charlestown, PA
Late night in Charlestown on Sunday
Local time
12:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Charlestown, PA to Altoona, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
78.6 mi
126 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Charlestown, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Charlestown, PA to Altoona, PA is 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 41m via I 99 and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the state of Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to its western part. It's a straightforward drive that's ideal for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for an efficient journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.3 miles from Charlestown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Lincoln Highway | 15 mi | 21m |
| Buchanan Trail West | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| Lincoln Way East | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 17th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 6th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlestown, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on PA 16
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Buchanan Trail West
2
Continue on PA 16
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way East
3
Turn right onto US 30
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Lincoln Highway
4
Take the exit
362 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
5
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
12
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
15
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
16
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
17
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
18
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just under two hours, you have considerable flexibility in when you depart. Leaving in the morning will get you to Altoona with plenty of the day to spare. With only a 78.6-mile distance, you won't need many, if any, stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach your destination, as the longest stretch on I 99 is over 30 miles, and planning your last fuel stop before this segment could be wise.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.3 miles from Charlestown, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Charlestown, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Charlestown, PA
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Charlestown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 99 for about 32.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from Charlestown, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 24.5 and 42.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
6
26 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
41.9 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
42.4 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
42.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
$13.03 one way
$26.06 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.27 | $28.54 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.24 | $30.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.35 | $34.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(15.5 mi)
$2.01
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.88 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $11.00 | $5.03 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Altoona, PA
Late night in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
12:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
6 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
1h 41m 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 route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience the efficiency of roads like I 99 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the bulk of your travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 32.7 miles on I 99, offering a sustained period of highway cruising. While predominantly highway, expect a practical, direct feel to the drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on I 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 99 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Charlestown, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Johnstown
41.9 mi in
|
~58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 78.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on I 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.01 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Altoona, PA before heading back.
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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