If you are planning a trip from Fairview to Altoona, expect a journey covering 240 miles with a total travel time of approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, as it is manageable for most drivers without requiring an overnight stay. You can anticipate a fuel budget of about $39 for this trek across Pennsylvania. Since this is an entirely local drive, you will avoid the high-speed monotony of interstate travel, though you should prepare for a significant amount of steering. It is a straightforward connection between two Northeast locations, ideal for those who prefer backroad driving over highway cruising.
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
115.3 miles from Fairview, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m 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
North Middletown Road
5.8 mi
9m
West Chester Pike
3.2 mi
5m
South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi
5m
Edgmont Avenue
2 mi
3m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 167 mi, about 3h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Essex Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Essex Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Fairview Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Fairview Road
3
Turn left onto Macdade Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Macdade Boulevard
4
Continue on MacDade Boulevard
0.3 mi·24 sec·MacDade Boulevard
5
Continue on East 22nd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 22nd Street
6
Turn right onto PA 352
2.0 mi·3 min·Edgmont Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on PA 352
2.9 mi·5 min·South New Middletown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 352
5.8 mi·9 min·North Middletown Road
9
Continue on PA 352
1.2 mi·2 min·South Chester Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto PA 3; PA 352
3.2 mi·5 min·West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·44 sec
Toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, DowningtownUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 202; US 322
1.2 mi·1 min·West Chester Bypass
13
Take the exit onto PA 100
7.5 mi·11 min·PA 100
Toward PA 100 North: ExtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward PATP
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 76 West: Harrisburg
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
167 mi·3 hr 1 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
21
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi·35 min·I 99; US 220
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
24
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
25
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
26
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
27
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 53-minute trek, aim to depart early in the day to ensure you reach Altoona before sunset, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the technical driving. Because you are relying on local roads like Macdade Boulevard, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track through the various turns. Budgeting $39 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is always wise to monitor your gauge as you navigate the local segments. Embracing the flexibility of this shorter trip allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of a rigid highway schedule.
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 115.3 miles from Fairview, PA, or about 2h 22m 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 51 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.3 miles or 2h 22m 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 42m
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 Fairview, 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 Fairview, PA
This is one driving day of about 230.5 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Fairview, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 194.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
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 US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Pruss...
6
18.6 mi into trip|~33m 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
193.8 mi into trip|~3h 47m 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
194.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
$38.21 one way
$76.43 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$41.85
$83.71
premium
$4.93
$44.70
$89.40
diesel
$5.61
$50.89
$101.78
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
$38
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.20
$11.06
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
EV Truck/SUV
92.2
1
$32.27
$14.75
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Fairview, PA
Late night
in Fairview on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Late night
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Harrisburg, PA
115 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
20 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 30m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 111.3
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 23.8
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...
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 71.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a fast-paced highway experience, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend your time navigating local thoroughfares like Fairview Road and Macdade Boulevard, which demand your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of open road, the drive requires constant focus and frequent adjustments. This technical, winding path offers a distinct change of pace from standard interstate routes. The lack of highway miles means your speed will remain moderate throughout the entire 240-mile journey.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
9/10
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 17.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 230.5 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.8 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.
Between Fairview, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Downingtown, Patp and Johnstown.
Downingtown
17.2 mi in|~31m
Patp
26.2 mi in|~45m
Johnstown
193.8 mi in|~3h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 230.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles (PA 100): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.8 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
