Origin
Mount Pleasant, PA
Late night in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Pleasant, 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
3h 2m
Distance
129.7 mi
209 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Pleasant, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mount Pleasant, PA to Altoona, PA is 129.7 miles and takes about 3h 2m via I 99 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across Pennsylvania, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. It's a fairly direct drive, mostly on highways but with some stretches on historic roads. Given its manageable length and estimated fuel cost, this route is a solid choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find it a practical way to cover ground between these two points in the Keystone State.
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
64.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Lincoln Way East | 24.5 mi | 40m |
| Lincoln Highway | 20.8 mi | 29m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Chambersburg Road | 13.4 mi | 20m |
| Baltimore Pike | 7 mi | 11m |
| Lincoln Way West | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on PA 97
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Baltimore Pike
2
Continue on PA 97
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Queen Street
3
Continue on PA 97
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Baltimore Pike
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto US 15
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 15
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward PA 116
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto PA 116
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Hanover Road
8
Continue on PA 116
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Hanover Street
9
Continue on US 30; PA 116
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
York Street
10
Enter roundabout onto US 30
179 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chambersburg Street
11
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Chambersburg Street
12
Continue on US 30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Buford Avenue
13
Continue on US 30
13 mi
·
20 min
·
Chambersburg Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 30
11 mi
·
18 min
·
Lincoln Way East
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 30
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Lincoln Way East
16
Continue on US 30
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way West
17
Continue on US 30
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Lincoln Highway
18
Take the exit
362 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
19
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
21
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
26
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
29
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
30
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
31
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
32
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before longer highway stretches, as the estimated cost is around $21. A practical tip for this route: since a significant portion is on the historic Lincoln Highway, be aware that you might encounter more local traffic and varying speed limits compared to the interstate sections. Planning a brief stop around the halfway point will ensure you're refreshed for the latter half of the journey.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, PA, or about 1h 44m 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 29 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 44m 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 35m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, PA
This is one driving day of about 129.7 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 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
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.8 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 8.2 and 93.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.2 mi into trip
|
~15m 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
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward PA 116
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 116
6
12 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 30 / Chambersburg Street
Enter roundabout onto US 30 / Chambersburg Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
92.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
7
93.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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
$21.50 one way
$43.01 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
| premium | $4.93 | $25.15 | $50.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.64 | $57.27 |
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
$22
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
| Efficient EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.35 | $5.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.16 | $8.30 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Late night in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
5:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
3 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
3h 2m 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 111.8
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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 93.9
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 17.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 39% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of efficient travel on I 99, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.7 miles. As you proceed, the journey transitions to well-traveled roads like Lincoln Way East and the historic Lincoln Highway, offering a different pace. Expect a blend of quicker highway segments and more local road driving as you approach your destination. This variety keeps the drive interesting without being overly demanding.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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?
10/10
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 8.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 129.7 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 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (US 30 / Chambersburg Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Mount Pleasant, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Johnstown
92.9 mi in
|
~2h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Mount Pleasant, PA
Full guide →Founded 1797
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 3h 2m. Total distance: 129.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (US 30 / Chambersburg Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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