Masontown to Altoona is 125.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 47 minutes via William Penn Highway and US 119, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Pennsylvania, staying within the Northeast region. Expect a local feel for most of the journey, with a good portion of the trip involving turn-heavy sections. It's a manageable drive that can easily be completed in a single day, making it ideal for a quick trip or an extension of another journey.
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
62.9 miles from Masontown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
51 mi
1h 6m
US 119
14.8 mi
17m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
13.3 mi
14m
US 40
13.1 mi
15m
McClellandtown Road
8.8 mi
15m
I 99
4.4 mi
4m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 51 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Masontown, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on West Church Avenue
22 ft·7 sec·West Church Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 166
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
4
Merge onto PA 21; PA 166
8.8 mi·15 min·McClellandtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 119 North, US 40 West: Connellsville
7
Merge onto US 40; US 119
13 mi·15 min·US 40; US 119
8
Continue on US 119; PA 711 Truck
15 mi·17 min·US 119; PA 711 Truck
9
Continue on PA Tpke 66
13 mi·14 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
10
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
15
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
17
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi·4 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
Given the 2 hour 47 minute duration and 125.7-mile distance, this trip is easily a same-day adventure. Leaving Masontown in the morning will give you ample time to reach Altoona with daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 51 miles on the William Penn Highway with a brief pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with a $21 estimated fuel cost, it's a good idea to top off before heading out, especially since highway stretches are limited and local roads can consume fuel differently. The turn-heavy nature of this drive means staying alert is key.
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 62.9 miles from Masontown, PA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51 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 28 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 22m 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 18m
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 Masontown, 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 Masontown, PA
This is one driving day of about 125.7 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Masontown, 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 William Penn Highway for about 51 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 117.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|PA 21; PA 166 / McClellandtown Road
Merge onto PA 21; PA 166 / McClellandtown Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
9.7 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.9 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 119 North, US 40 West: Connellsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 119 North, US 40 West: Connellsville
6
52 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
117.5 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.84 one way
$41.68 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.82
$45.65
premium
$4.93
$24.38
$48.76
diesel
$5.61
$27.75
$55.51
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(13.3 mi)$0.93
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
$21
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.03
Efficient EV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
EV Truck/SUV
50.3
0
$17.60
$8.04
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 18, 2026
Origin
Masontown, PA
Morning
in Masontown on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
8:00 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
25 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
2h 47m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 95.4
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 86.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent turns and local road segments. With only 26% of the drive on highways, much of your time will be spent on roads like the William Penn Highway and US 119. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 51 miles on the William Penn Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before returning to a more winding path. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience, where the road's character can change frequently.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51 mi on William Penn Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near PA 21; PA 166 / McClellandtown Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 13 significant decision points across 125.7 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 0.8 miles (PA 21; PA 166 / McClellandtown Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Masontown, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
38.3 mi in|~52m|via PA Tpke 66
Bedford
117 mi in|~2h 34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 125.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.93 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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 0.8 miles (PA 21; PA 166 / McClellandtown Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield 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.
