New Hanover, PA to Altoona, PA is 214.6 miles and takes about 4h 14m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, making it a convenient option for anyone in the Northeast region. The route is primarily highway, so expect a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration and a reasonable fuel cost, it’s a practical choice for a quick transit or a focused drive to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.3 miles from New Hanover, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
153.1 mi
2h 46m
I 99
32.7 mi
35m
Ridge Road
8.6 mi
14m
Pottstown Pike
6.5 mi
10m
North Charlotte Street
4.2 mi
9m
East Main Street
3.1 mi
6m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
6th Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 153.1 mi, about 2h 46m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,140 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Hanover, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Lutheran Road
86 ft·4 sec·Lutheran Road
2
Turn right onto Swamp Pike
0.2 mi·32 sec·Swamp Pike
3
Turn left onto PA 663
4.2 mi·9 min·North Charlotte Street
4
Turn right onto Wilson Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Wilson Street
5
Turn right onto State Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·State Street
6
Turn left onto PA 100
6.5 mi·10 min·Pottstown Pike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto PA 23
8.6 mi·14 min·Ridge Road
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on PA 23
3.1 mi·6 min·East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Morgan Way
0.2 mi·32 sec·Morgan Way
10
Turn left onto Quarry Road
0.4 mi·55 sec·Quarry Road
11
Turn left onto PA 10
0.2 mi·21 sec·Morgantown Road
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 76, PATPUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto I 176
326 ft·4 sec·Morgantown Expressway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 76 Toll West: HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 76; PATP
153 mi·2 hr 46 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Altoona, JohnstownUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
20
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi·35 min·I 99; US 220
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
23
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
24
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
25
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
26
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving New Hanover in the morning will give you ample time to reach Altoona before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major break is about 153 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan a stop before or after that segment if you prefer shorter driving periods. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Altoona, and remember your estimated fuel cost is around $39 for the 214.6-mile 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 107.3 miles from New Hanover, PA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 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 47 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
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 New Hanover, 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 New Hanover, PA
This is one driving day of about 214.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from New Hanover, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 153.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 178.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~12m in|PA 100 / Pottstown Pike
Turn left onto PA 100 / Pottstown Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
24.4 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the ramp toward I 76, PATP
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 76, PATP
8
24.6 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
$34.22 one way
$68.44 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$37.87
$75.74
premium
$4.81
$40.62
$81.24
diesel
$4.80
$40.52
$81.04
Estimated Tolls: $19.90
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(153.1 mi)$19.90
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
$34
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
Efficient EV
53.7
0
$18.78
$8.58
EV Truck/SUV
85.8
1
$30.04
$13.73
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
New Hanover, PA
Evening
in New Hanover on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 10 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Altoona, PA
Evening
in Altoona on Monday
Local time
8:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 59.2
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 7.4
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
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 199.8
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 177.6
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 14.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 87% of the 214.6 miles on major roads. You'll spend a significant stretch of 153.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After that, you'll transition to I-99, and eventually, Ridge Road will take over for the final portion of the trip. Expect a predominantly highway experience with frequent exits on the turnpike and I-99.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near PA 100 / Pottstown Pike.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 214.6 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 5.3 miles (PA 100 / Pottstown Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,579 ft249 ft
Total Climb
1,962 ft
Total Descent
1,047 ft
Highest Point
1,579 ft
~155.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,330 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Hanover, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Johnstown.
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.
Top landmarks
•Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament — church in Pennsylvania, United States
•Mishler Theatre — theater and movie theater in Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States
•Downtown Altoona Historic District — historic district in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 214.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.90 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.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (PA 100 / Pottstown Pike): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Valley Forge National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Altoona, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
