Origin
Greencastle, PA
Morning in Greencastle on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greencastle, 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
2h
Distance
93.3 mi
150 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 52m
★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greencastle, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Greencastle to Altoona, expect a straightforward 93.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can anticipate spending roughly $15 on fuel for the one-way transit. Because the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to head out whenever it suits you best. The drive stays entirely within Pennsylvania, keeping you in the Northeast region for the duration of your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.6 miles from Greencastle, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Lincoln Highway | 20.8 mi | 29m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Lemar Road | 7.6 mi | 12m |
| Lincoln Way West | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Buchanan Trail West | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Fort Loudon Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greencastle, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on PA 16
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
West Baltimore Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Continue on PA 16
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Buchanan Trail West
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto PA 995
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Lemar Road
4
Turn right onto PA 75
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Fort Loudon Road
5
Turn left onto US 30
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Lincoln Way West
6
Continue on US 30
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way West
7
Continue on US 30
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Lincoln Highway
8
Take the exit
362 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
9
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
11
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
19
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
20
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
21
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
22
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour trek with no mandatory stops, you have the freedom to depart on your own timeline. While the journey is short enough to drive straight through, keep in mind that the local road layout means your average speed will be lower than what you might expect on a major expressway. Fill your tank before leaving Greencastle to ensure you cover the $15 fuel cost without needing to hunt for stations along the way. Because there are no designated stops provided, plan to handle any necessary breaks before you hit the road or immediately upon arrival in Altoona. Keeping your pace steady is the best way to handle the frequent turns you will encounter throughout the trip.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.6 miles from Greencastle, PA, or about 1h 7m 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
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 Greencastle, 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 Greencastle, PA
This is one driving day of about 93.3 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Greencastle, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.6 miles from Greencastle, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 39.2 and 57.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
39.2 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
40.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
56.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
$15.47 one way
$30.94 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $16.94 | $33.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.09 | $36.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.60 | $41.20 |
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
$15
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
5 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 on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 74
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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 61.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that avoids the monotony of major interstates entirely. With a 0% highway share, you will spend your entire time navigating local roads like Buchanan Trail West, Lemar Road, and Fort Loudon Road. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches on this route, as the path is defined by constant adjustments rather than high-speed cruising. You should stay alert behind the wheel, as the winding nature of these roads requires your full attention compared to a standard highway haul. Expect a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 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 39.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 93.3 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 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.6 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.
On the drive from Greencastle, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Johnstown
56.6 mi in
|
~1h 17m
About the Cities
Arriving in Altoona, PA
Full guide →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.
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 2h. Total distance: 93.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.6 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 and Flight 93 National Memorial. 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.
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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