Origin
Glenolden, PA
Morning in Glenolden on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glenolden, 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 35m
Distance
233 mi
375 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glenolden, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 233-mile drive from Glenolden, PA, to Altoona, PA, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused journey, you'll spend about 89% of your time on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, this route offers a straightforward path through familiar Northeast landscapes. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 174.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your breaks accordingly.
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
116.5 miles from Glenolden, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 174.6 mi | 3h 9m |
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Darby Paoli Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Sproul Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| Woodland Avenue | 2.3 mi | 5m |
| East Lancaster Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Newtown Street Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West Chester Pike | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 174.6 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glenolden, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on East Boon Avenue
65 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Boon Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 13
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Chester Pike
3
Turn right onto West South Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West South Avenue
4
Turn left onto Macdade Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Macdade Boulevard
5
Turn right onto PA 420
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Kedron Avenue
6
Continue on PA 420
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Woodland Avenue
7
Turn right onto PA 320
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Sproul Road
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn straight onto Springfield Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Springfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto PA 3
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West Chester Pike
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn right onto PA 252
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Newtown Street Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 252
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Darby Paoli Road
12
Turn left onto Darby Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Darby Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 30
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East Lancaster Avenue
14
Turn right onto PA 29
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morehall Road
15
Continue on PA 29
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Morehall Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harrisburg
Use the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 76; PATP
175 mi
·
3 hr 9 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
23
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
26
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
27
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
28
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
29
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 35-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Glenolden, PA, to maximize your daylight hours and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 174.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, be sure to fuel up before you leave or at a service plaza along the turnpike. The $39 fuel cost is a good estimate, but check current prices. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have flexibility in your timing. Be aware of the transition from Darby Paoli Road onto the main highways, ensuring you merge safely as you begin the bulk of your journey on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 116.5 miles from Glenolden, PA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.6 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 51 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.5 miles or 2h 26m 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 47m
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 Glenolden, 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 Glenolden, PA
This is one driving day of about 233 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Glenolden, 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 174.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.5 miles from Glenolden, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.6 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 20.7 and 197.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
20.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the ramp toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harrisburg
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward PATP Toll, I 76 Toll: Valley Forge, Harr...
7
21.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7
196.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
196.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
197.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
$38.63 one way
$77.26 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $42.31 | $84.61 |
| premium | $4.93 | $45.19 | $90.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.44 | $102.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $22.69
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(174.6 mi)
$22.69
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
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.46 | $11.18 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.62 | $14.91 |
Gas CO2
82 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.
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
6:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
48°F
Middlesex, PA
117 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
22 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 35m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 112.5
View on nps.gov
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 16.1
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...
8 mi from route
~20 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
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 72.3
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 233-mile trip. With 89% of the drive on major roads, you'll encounter stretches designed for efficient travel. The Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99 form the backbone of this journey, offering a consistent driving pace for extended periods. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 174.6 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, meaning you'll have long stretches where you can maintain speed. While mostly highway, the initial portion involves Darby Paoli Road, offering a brief transition before merging onto the faster routes.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 20.7 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 233 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 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Glenolden, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp Toll, Harrisburg and Johnstown.
Patp Toll
20.7 mi in
|
~41m
Harrisburg
20.7 mi in
|
~41m
Johnstown
196.3 mi in
|
~3h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Glenolden, PA
Full guide →Delaware County is in Pennsylvania, United States of America.
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 4h 35m. Total distance: 233 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $22.69 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 20.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.3 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, Valley Forge National Historical Park 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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