South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Saint Thomas, 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 46m
Distance
85.4 mi
138 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Thomas, PA
Jo Kassis
Trip Overview
Saint Thomas, PA to Altoona, PA is 85.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m via I 99 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way across the state. With its relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is a good option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.7 miles from Saint Thomas, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 99 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Lincoln Highway | 20.8 mi | 29m |
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 15.5 mi | 16m |
| Lincoln Way West | 10.6 mi | 14m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 17th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 6th Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 70 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 99
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Thomas, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on Schoolhouse Road
20 ft
·
2 sec
·
Schoolhouse Road
2
Turn right onto US 30
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Lincoln Way West
3
Continue on US 30
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Lincoln Way West
4
Continue on US 30
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Lincoln Highway
5
Take the exit
362 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
6
Continue on I 70
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
8
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
13
Merge onto I 99; US 220
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 99; US 220
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward 17th Street
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Altoona
16
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
17th Street
17
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
18
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Street
19
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 46m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. While there are no mandatory stops indicated, you might want to plan for a brief break roughly halfway through, especially if you encounter traffic. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, and gas stations can be less frequent on some of the surface road portions. The longest stretch on I 99 is over 30 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that section.
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 42.7 miles from Saint Thomas, PA, or about 57m 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.7 miles or 57m 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 30m
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 Saint Thomas, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Thomas, PA
This is one driving day of about 85.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Saint Thomas, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.7 miles from Saint Thomas, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 31.3 and 49.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
31.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike
6
32.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
48.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m 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
6
49.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the ramp toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
7
49.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
$14.16 one way
$28.32 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $15.51 | $31.01 |
| premium | $4.93 | $16.56 | $33.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.86 | $37.71 |
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
$14
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.97 | $4.10 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.96 | $5.47 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Origin
Saint Thomas, PA
Morning in Saint Thomas on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Morning in Altoona on Tuesday
Local time
7:03 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
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
1h 46m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 67.8
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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 53
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 57% highway, so you'll spend a good portion of the time on faster roads like I 99. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 32.7 miles on I 99. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads, indicated by a change in speed limits and exit density. Expect a mixed driving experience with both higher-speed sections and more local traffic.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 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?
8/10
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 31.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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 Saint Thomas, PA to Altoona, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Johnstown along the way.
Johnstown
48.7 mi in
|
~1h 3m
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 1h 46m. Total distance: 85.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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: at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial 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.
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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