Origin
Montgomery, PA
Afternoon in Montgomery on Sunday
Local time
4:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montgomery, 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 13m
Distance
113.1 mi
182 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 19m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montgomery, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Montgomery, PA to Altoona, PA is 113.1 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a relatively short trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. Expect a mix of road types, so be prepared for some turns and changes in pace as you make your way south. This is a straightforward journey for anyone looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.6 miles from Montgomery, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 48.9 mi | 52m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| I 99 | 23.3 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 15 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| East Pleasant Valley Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Westbranch Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Pinchtown Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Houston Avenue | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 48.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on West Houston Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Houston Avenue
2
Keep slight left at fork onto West Houston Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Houston Avenue
3
Turn left onto T102
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pinchtown Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 15
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 15
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Westbranch Highway
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 80
49 mi
·
52 min
·
Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
9
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
10
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
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward PA 764 South: Pinecroft
12
Turn right onto PA 764
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sabbath Rest Road
13
Turn left onto US 220 Business; PA 764
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Pleasant Valley Boulevard
14
Turn right onto PA 764
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rutgers Lane
15
Continue on PA 764
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Walton Avenue
16
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenwood Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto 6th Avenue Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
6th Avenue Road
18
Continue on East 6th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
19
Continue on Bellwood Avenue
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Bellwood Avenue
20
Turn slight left onto PA 764
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
7th Avenue
21
Turn right onto 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
22
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 13m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush hour and to give yourself ample daylight. You'll want to pay attention to road signs, especially when transitioning between the Keystone Shortway and local roads, as the route is described as turn-heavy. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before you depart Montgomery, as the longest stretch without a major highway is significant.
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 56.6 miles from Montgomery, PA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.9 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 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 48m
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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, PA
This is one driving day of about 113.1 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Montgomery, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 48.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.6 miles from Montgomery, 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 2 and 83.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 15 / US Highway 15
At end of road, turn left onto US 15 / US Highway 15
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
9.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 West: Bellefonte
6
59.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
5
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.75 one way
$37.50 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $20.54 | $41.07 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.93 | $43.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.97 | $49.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.88 | $5.43 |
| Efficient EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.83 | $7.24 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
4:21 PM
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
10 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 13m 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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 113.1
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?
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, with only 25% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through Jacksonville Road and other local stretches, which means more frequent turns and a potentially slower pace than a pure interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 48.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a period of consistent travel before you transition back to more varied local roads. Be ready for a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged with the changing terrain and road conditions.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2 miles in near US 15 / US Highway 15.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 113.1 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 2 miles (US 15 / US Highway 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 13m. Total distance: 113.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 2 miles (US 15 / US Highway 15): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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