Origin
Dunbar, PA
Morning in Dunbar on Tuesday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunbar, PA to Altoona, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
107.4 mi
173 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunbar, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dunbar, PA to Altoona, PA is 107.4 miles and takes about 2h 20m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region into the Northeast region. Expect a trip with frequent turns, making it a more engaging local drive rather than a straightforward highway cruise. With a recommended one-day duration, you'll have ample time to complete the journey without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a shorter excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Dunbar, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 51 mi | 1h 6m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass | 13.3 mi | 14m |
| Amos K Hutchinson Bypass | 8 mi | 9m |
| South 8th Street | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| I 99 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Morrell Avenue | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| 17th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 51 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunbar, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on this road
44 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Connellsville Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Connellsville Street
3
Turn sharp right onto Woodvale Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Woodvale Street
4
Continue on Woodvale Street
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Woodvale Street
5
Continue on Dunbar Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dunbar Road
6
Take the ramp
199 ft
·
5 sec
7
Merge onto US 119
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
University Drive
8
Continue on US 119
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Morrell Avenue
9
Continue on US 119
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
South 8th Street
10
Continue on US 119
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Amos K Hutchinson Bypass
11
Continue on PA Tpke 66
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
12
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
PA 66
Use the right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 22
34 mi
·
47 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 22
17 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
19
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
22
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
23
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
24
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
25
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 20m drive time and the route's turn-heavy nature, consider departing in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace. While this is a single-day trip, planning for potential delays due to local road conditions is wise. The estimated fuel cost is $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart, especially as the longest stretch without a major road change is 51 miles. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the frequent turns will be a key feature of this drive, making it important to stay on course.
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 53.7 miles from Dunbar, PA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 56m
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 Dunbar, 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 Dunbar, PA
This is one driving day of about 107.4 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Dunbar, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 51 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Dunbar, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 105 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Woodvale Street
Turn sharp right onto Woodvale Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
33.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
5
34 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge onto US 22 / William Penn Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
99.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Keep slight left 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
5
105 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.81 one way
$35.61 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $19.50 | $39.00 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.83 | $41.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.71 | $47.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(13.3 mi)
$0.93
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.87 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
8:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph
0% chance
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
35 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
2h 20m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 77.8
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 70.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with a highway share of just 4%. You'll experience a dynamic journey that involves navigating various roads, including the William Penn Highway, Admiral Peary Highway, and Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51 miles on the William Penn Highway. Prepare for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation due to the frequent turns, offering a different feel than a monotonous interstate journey.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Woodvale Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 107.4 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 0.3 miles (Woodvale Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles (US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Between Dunbar, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
20.1 mi in
|
~26m
|
via PA Tpke 66
Bedford
98.7 mi in
|
~2h 8m
About the Cities
Arriving in Altoona, PA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 107.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.93 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Woodvale Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 33.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34 miles (US 22 / William Penn Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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