Greensburg, PA to Altoona, PA is 75.9 miles and takes about 1h 45m via William Penn Highway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a local drive that involves frequent turns rather than a straightforward highway cruise. With a duration under two hours and a low fuel cost, this route is ideal for a spontaneous day trip or as a segment of a larger journey through the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.9 miles from Greensburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
44.3 mi
58m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
New Alexandria Road
5.4 mi
9m
I 99
4.4 mi
4m
Main Street
3.2 mi
4m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
6th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Arch Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 44.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greensburg, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on South Urania Avenue
0.1 mi·41 sec·South Urania Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 130
379 ft·6 sec·East Pittsburgh Street
3
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi·12 sec·East Otterman Street
4
Turn right onto US 119; PA 819
0.2 mi·22 sec·Arch Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 119; PA 819
241 ft·8 sec·Beacon Street
6
Continue on US 119
5.4 mi·9 min·New Alexandria Road
7
Continue on US 119
3.2 mi·4 min·Main Street
8
Continue on US 22; US 119
27 mi·38 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
13
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
16
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
17
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
18
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
19
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, there's no strict need to split this trip, offering you flexibility in your departure time. However, to make the most of the local road experience, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic. Plan for one or two brief stops for gas or a quick break, especially since the longest stretch is over 44 miles. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying alert to upcoming turns is key to a smooth journey.
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 37.9 miles from Greensburg, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.3 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 17 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.9 miles or 55m 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 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 Greensburg, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greensburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 75.9 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Greensburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on William Penn Highway for about 44.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 73.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 130 / East Pittsburgh Street
Turn left onto PA 130 / East Pittsburgh Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 119; PA 819 / Arch Avenue
Turn right onto US 119; PA 819 / Arch Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|US 119; PA 819 / Beacon Street
Turn right onto US 119; PA 819 / Beacon Street
Navigation decision point
6
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left 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
5
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.58 one way
$25.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.78
$27.56
premium
$4.93
$14.72
$29.44
diesel
$5.61
$16.76
$33.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.97
$3.64
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.64
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.63
$4.86
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Greensburg, PA
Morning
in Greensburg on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 7 to 16 mph71% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 to 13 mph44% 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
2 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
1h 45m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 44.5
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...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 39.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily on local roads, with only about 6% of the drive on the highway. You'll encounter a 'turn-heavy' profile, meaning you'll be navigating a series of local streets and highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 44.3 miles along the William Penn Highway, offering a more sustained drive before you transition back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you weave through communities.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.3 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 130 / East Pittsburgh Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 75.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (PA 130 / East Pittsburgh Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 119; PA 819 / Arch Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 119; PA 819 / Beacon Street): Navigation decision point.
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 Greensburg, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
67.1 mi in|~1h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 75.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.3 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 130 / East Pittsburgh Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 119; PA 819 / Arch Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (US 119; PA 819 / Beacon Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
