Origin
Lewistown, PA
Morning in Lewistown on Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lewistown, PA to Altoona, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
72 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lewistown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Lewistown to Altoona, this 74-mile journey takes approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes to complete. Since the route is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $12 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a very budget-friendly transit between these two Pennsylvania locations. Because both cities are situated within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent local atmosphere throughout the journey. Consider this a straightforward, practical transition rather than an elaborate road trip odyssey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Lewistown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| US 522 | 21.8 mi | 28m |
| Mount Nittany Expressway | 17.5 mi | 21m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Boal Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Greenwood Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 6th Avenue Road | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Sabbath Rest Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 23.3 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Chestnut Street
119 ft
·
11 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn sharp right onto Valley Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Valley Street
3
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Walnut Street
4
Take the exit onto US 522
22 mi
·
28 min
·
US 522
5
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Boal Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 322; PA 144 Truck
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
7
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
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
9
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
10
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
11
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
12
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
13
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
14
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
15
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
16
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
17
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
18
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
19
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 74-mile trip with zero planned stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits your plans. You won't need to worry about pacing long stretches or finding rest areas, allowing you to head straight through to Altoona. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, keep an eye on local traffic patterns and potential intersections that may slow your progress. It is wise to fuel up before you depart Lewistown to cover your $12 estimated expense without needing to search for gas along the route. Enjoy the simplicity of this short drive, as the lack of highway miles makes for a very predictable 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 36 miles from Lewistown, PA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 48m 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 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 Lewistown, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lewistown, PA
This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lewistown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 99 for about 23.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Lewistown, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 70.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Valley Street
Turn sharp right onto Valley Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Walnut Street
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 522
Take the exit onto US 522
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
42.7 mi into trip
|
~56m 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,...
5
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
6th Avenue Road
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.94 one way
$23.87 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.07 | $26.15 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.96 | $27.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.90 | $31.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.30 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph
5% 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
4 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 31m 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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 72
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway driving. You will navigate primarily via Valley Street, South Walnut Street, and Boal Avenue to reach your destination. Because there are no stretches of highway, you should be prepared for constant attention to the road rather than long, uninterrupted segments. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Valley Street, reflecting the technical, local nature of the path. Stay focused behind the wheel, as the winding, surface-level roads require more active driving than a standard highway route.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.3 mi on I 99.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 99 and US 522. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Valley Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 31m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Valley Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,659 ft
503 ft
Total Climb
1,633 ft
Total Descent
973 ft
Highest Point
1,659 ft
~15.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,156 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lewistown, PA
Full guide →Founded 1790
Lewistown is a city in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.
Top landmarks
- • Embassy Theatre — former theater and movie theater in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, United States
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 1h 31m. Total distance: 72 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.3 miles on I 99. 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: near the start (Valley Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.5 miles (South Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Johnstown Flood 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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