Origin
Etna, PA
Morning in Etna on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Etna, 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
2h 21m
Distance
98.3 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Etna, PA
pierre matile
Trip Overview
Etna, PA to Altoona, PA is 98.3 miles and takes about 2h 21m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and local road segments rather than long stretches of highway. With a relatively short duration and a modest fuel cost, this route is best suited for a single-day trip where you can enjoy a more intimate experience of the landscape without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.2 miles from Etna, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| William Penn Highway | 61.6 mi | 1h 25m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| I 99 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| Allegheny River Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| 17th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Butler Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Beulah Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Etna, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Grant Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Grant Avenue
2
Turn right onto PA 8
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Butler Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on PA 8
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
William Flinn Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Continue on PA 8
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
62nd Street Bridge
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 8
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Butler Street
6
Continue on PA 8
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on PA 130; Green Belt
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Allegheny River Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn right onto PA 130; Green Belt
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sandy Creek Road
9
Continue on PA 130
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Coal Hollow Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Old Coal Hollow Road
11
Continue on PA 130
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Beulah Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 376; US 22
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 5 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 2 hour 21 minute drive time, leaving Etna, PA in the morning allows ample time to reach Altoona, PA before evening. With only one recommended day, flexibility is key; you can depart at your leisure. There are no listed stops, so plan for any necessary breaks as you go. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as the highway share is low, and factor in the $16 fuel cost. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the William Penn Highway section, as it's your longest continuous stretch and might offer the most straightforward driving experience before potential turns increase.
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 49.2 miles from Etna, PA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 22 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.2 miles or 1h 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 1h 58m
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 Etna, 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 Etna, PA
This is one driving day of about 98.3 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Etna, 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 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Etna, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before William Penn Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 90.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 8 / Butler Street
Turn right onto PA 8 / Butler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
PA 8 / Butler Street
At end of road, turn left onto PA 8 / Butler Street
Navigation decision point
5
9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
90.1 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.30 one way
$32.59 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.85 | $35.70 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.06 | $38.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.70 | $43.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.60 | $3.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.76 | $6.29 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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 Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Snyder, PA
49 mi in
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
19 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
2h 21m 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 is a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and making regular adjustments to your course. While only 10% of the route utilizes highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 61.6 miles on William Penn Highway. This suggests a journey that is more about the local scenery and less about high-speed travel. Be prepared for a varied driving experience that shifts between more open roads and more intricate, populated areas.
Only 10% 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: 61.6 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.1 miles in near PA 8 / Butler Street.
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 12 significant decision points across 98.3 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 0.1 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles: 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 Etna, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
89.6 mi in
|
~2h 9m
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 21m. Total distance: 98.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.6 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.1 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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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