Flourtown to Altoona is 230.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and heading west. Given its mostly highway nature and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend the bulk of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
115.1 miles from Flourtown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
188 mi
3h 23m
I 99
32.7 mi
35m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Flourtown Road
1.2 mi
2m
Stenton Avenue
1 mi
1m
Joshua Road
0.8 mi
1m
6th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Plymouth Road
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 188 mi, about 3h 23m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,140 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Flourtown, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on this road
166 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Bethlehem Pike
0.2 mi·35 sec·Bethlehem Pike
3
Turn left onto Weiss Avenue
0.3 mi·57 sec·Weiss Avenue
4
Turn slight left onto West Mill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Mill Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Stenton Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Stenton Avenue
6
Turn left onto Joshua Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Joshua Road
7
Turn right onto Flourtown Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Flourtown Road
8
Continue on Plymouth Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Plymouth Road
9
Turn left onto West Germantown Pike
149 ft·8 sec·West Germantown Pike
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 276, PATP, I 476 North: Harrisburg, New Jersey
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 276 West: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 276; PATP
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
15
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
17
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi·35 min·I 99; US 220
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
20
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
21
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
22
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
23
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 18-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Altoona. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 96%, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Budget around $41 for fuel, and keep in mind that the longest stretch is 188 miles, so plan your last fuel stop before starting that segment. The Pennsylvania Turnpike has tolls, so factor that into your overall trip cost.
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 115.1 miles from Flourtown, PA, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188 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 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 30m
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 Flourtown, 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 Flourtown, PA
This is one driving day of about 230.2 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Flourtown, 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 188 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 0 and 194.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Bethlehem Pike
Turn right onto Bethlehem Pike
Navigation decision point
7
5.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
7
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
194.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
194.3 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
$36.71 one way
$73.41 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$40.62
$81.24
premium
$4.81
$43.57
$87.15
diesel
$4.80
$43.47
$86.93
Estimated Tolls: $24.44
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(188 mi)$24.44
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
$37
Tolls
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.1
0
$24.17
$11.05
Efficient EV
57.6
0
$20.14
$9.21
EV Truck/SUV
92.1
1
$32.23
$14.73
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Flourtown, PA
Late night
in Flourtown on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 10 mph91% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:37PM EDT until July 18 at 4:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Altoona, PA
Late night
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
5:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:37PM EDT until July 18 at 4:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 1:35PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
1 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
4h 18m 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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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 111.1
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 71.4
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 23.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 96% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 230.2 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 188 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll transition to I-99 and then briefly onto 17th Street as you approach Altoona. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits on the main highway sections.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near Bethlehem Pike.
Driving Effort7/10
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 230.2 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: near the start (Bethlehem Pike): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 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
1,189 ft187 ft
Total Climb
1,214 ft
Total Descent
237 ft
Highest Point
1,189 ft
~213.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,003 ft
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 Flourtown, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
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 18m. Total distance: 230.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $24.44 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 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Bethlehem Pike): Navigation decision point; at 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Independence National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
