Trip from Franconia, 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

4h 26m

Distance

232.2 mi

374 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 13m ★

6 AM

4h 26m

8 AM

4h 53m

10 AM

4h 35m

12 PM

4h 33m

3 PM

4h 37m

5 PM

4h 51m

8 PM

4h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Franconia, PA

Trip Overview

Embark on a 240.4-mile journey from Franconia, PA, to Altoona, PA, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes. This route, primarily utilizing local roads like Finland Road, Upper Ridge Road, and Old Woods Road, has no highway share, making it a true turn-heavy local experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $40 and a recommendation for a single day of travel, it's a manageable trip. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's an ideal option if you're looking for a day trip that bypasses major interstates.

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

116.1 miles from Franconia, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	115.7 mi	2h 6m
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension	54.2 mi	58m
Jacksonville Road	24.2 mi	28m
I 99	23.3 mi	24m
Allentown Road	5.4 mi	9m
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard	2.8 mi	4m
Upper Ridge Road	1 mi	1m
Finland Road	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 115.7 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Franconia, PA and Altoona, PA.

Start on Allentown Road

5.4 mi · 9 min · Allentown Road

Continue on Finland Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Finland Road

Continue on Upper Ridge Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Upper Ridge Road

Turn right onto Old Woods Road

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Old Woods Road

Turn left

115 ft · 10 sec

Turn right onto I 476; PATP

54 mi · 58 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Merge onto I 80

116 mi · 2 hr 6 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

23 mi · 24 min · I 99; US 220

Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft

Turn right onto PA 764

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Sabbath Rest Road

Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764

2.8 mi · 4 min · East Pleasant Valley Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 764

174 ft · 3 sec · Rutgers Lane

Continue on PA 764

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Walton Avenue

Turn right onto Greenwood Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Greenwood Road

At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road

0.6 mi · 53 sec · 6th Avenue Road

Continue on East 6th Avenue

0.3 mi · 22 sec · East 6th Avenue

Continue on Bellwood Avenue

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Bellwood Avenue

Turn slight left onto PA 764

0.4 mi · 43 sec · 7th Avenue

Turn right onto 7th Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · 7th Street

Arrive at destination

7th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour 39-minute duration and 240.4-mile length, this route is perfectly suited for a single day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for the numerous turns and to avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to pace yourself, but be mindful of the fuel cost, estimated at $40, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially since you won't be on major highways. A specific tip for this route: keep an eye out for the transitions between the named local roads, as these are key points where your navigation will shift.

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 116.1 miles from Franconia, PA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.7 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 116.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m

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 Franconia, 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 Franconia, PA

This is one driving day of about 232.2 miles and 4h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Franconia, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 115.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Catawissa, PA

116 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

Allentown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Catawissa, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.1 miles from Franconia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 82.9

Drums, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.5

Nescopeck, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

1.9 mi from route

TA

2.2 mi from route

Lake Lenape Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12152575065

The Sellersville Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+12152575253

Visit website

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 7.4 and 202.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.4 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Turn right onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

61.5 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in

Take the exit toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 95 Toward PA 940, I 80: Hazleton, Mount Pocono

62.4 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 West: Hazleton

178.4 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...

202.9 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.50 one way

$76.99 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$42.16	$84.32
premium	$4.93	$45.03	$90.06
diesel	$5.61	$51.27	$102.53

Estimated Tolls: $7.04

Pennsylvania Turnpike (54.2 mi) $7.04

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

$39

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Quakertown, PA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Tilghman Square Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Allentown, PA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Allentown, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Laurel Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Hazleton, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Shell Station - Tesla Supercharger

Drums, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Allentown, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Hickory Run Service Plaza - Southbound - Tesla Supercharger

Jim Thorpe, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Hickory Run Service Plaza - Northbound - Tesla Supercharger

Jim Thorpe, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 8 Tesla: 8 Blink Network: 3 EV Connect: 2 APPLEGREEN: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Electrify America: 1 Non-Networked: 1 SWTCH: 1

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	69.7	0	$24.38	$11.15
Efficient EV	58.1	0	$20.32	$9.29
EV Truck/SUV	92.9	1	$32.51	$14.86

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 19, 2026

Origin

Franconia, PA

Late night in Franconia on Sunday

Local time

12:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Altoona, PA

Late night in Altoona on Sunday

Local time

12:43 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

W 7 to 13 mph 96% 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

27 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 26m 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...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 232.2

View on nps.gov

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour $1

View on nps.gov

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

28 mi from route ~69 min detour Free

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 defined by its numerous turns, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the entire 240.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be constantly engaged with the road. Expect a winding path that requires your full attention, providing a more intimate connection with the Pennsylvania landscape as you transition from the Northeast region's more populated areas towards the interior.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 115.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 232.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 7.4 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Franconia, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Pocono along the way.

Mount Pocono

61.5 mi in | ~1h 12m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 232.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $7.04 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.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Independence National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Franconia, PA to Altoona, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Montour County Rest Area Westbound

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound

Luzerne County Rest Area Eastbound

Onvo Travel Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Allentown Service Plaza

Hickory Run Service Plaza

Hickory Run Truck Plaza

Clinton County Rest Area Westbound

Montour County Rest Area Eastbound

Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound

Columbia County Rest Area Westbound

TA

Onvo Travel Plaza

Blue Ridge Travel Plaza

TA

Lake Lenape Park

The Sellersville Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Franconia, PA

Altoona, PA

Same local time

27 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 26m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Independence National Historical Park

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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