Gettysburg, PA to Altoona, PA is 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m via I 99 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. Expect a mixed drive that balances interstate speeds with historic highway travel, ideal for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed, allowing for a relaxed departure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.8 miles from Gettysburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 99
32.7 mi
35m
Lincoln Way East
24.5 mi
40m
Lincoln Highway
20.8 mi
29m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
15.5 mi
16m
Chambersburg Road
13.4 mi
20m
Lincoln Way West
4.1 mi
5m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
1.5 mi
2m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gettysburg, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on US 30; US 15 Business; PA 116
129 ft·5 sec·Lincoln Square
2
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·57 sec·Chambersburg Street
3
Continue on US 30
0.5 mi·1 min·Buford Avenue
4
Continue on US 30
13 mi·20 min·Chambersburg Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 30
11 mi·18 min·Lincoln Way East
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
14 mi·21 min·Lincoln Way East
7
Continue on US 30
4.1 mi·5 min·Lincoln Way West
8
Continue on US 30
21 mi·29 min·Lincoln Highway
9
Take the exit
362 ft·9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
10
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi·2 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·46 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
12
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi·16 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
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 2 hour and 40-minute drive, leaving Gettysburg in the morning is ideal, giving you ample daylight to reach Altoona. With a total distance of 117.7 miles and a fuel cost estimated around $20, you likely won't need to stop for gas unless your vehicle is exceptionally thirsty. Consider taking your time on the Lincoln Highway portions, as they may offer a more engaging experience than the interstate. Since it's a single-day trip, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities in Gettysburg.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58.8 miles from Gettysburg, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 26 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.8 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
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 Gettysburg, 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 Gettysburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 117.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Gettysburg, 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 I 99 for about 32.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 63.6 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
6
65.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
81 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
$19.51 one way
$39.03 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.37
$42.74
premium
$4.93
$22.83
$45.65
diesel
$5.61
$25.99
$51.97
Estimated Tolls: $2.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(15.5 mi)$2.01
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
$20
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.36
$5.65
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.30
$4.71
EV Truck/SUV
47.1
0
$16.48
$7.53
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Gettysburg, PA
Morning
in Gettysburg on Tuesday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
9:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 13 mph0% chanceLive 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
20 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 40m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 97.4
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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 85.2
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 8.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a varied driving experience, with 41% of the journey on highways like I 99. You'll encounter stretches where you can make good time, including one uninterrupted segment of 32.7 miles on I 99. The drive also incorporates historic routes like Lincoln Way East and Lincoln Highway, which will likely offer a different pace and character compared to the interstate. This blend means you'll transition between faster-paced driving and more scenic, potentially slower, sections as you traverse the landscape.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.7 mi on I 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.6 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 14 significant decision points across 117.7 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 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 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.
On the drive from Gettysburg, 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 117.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.7 miles on I 99. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.01 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.
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 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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.
