This 122-mile journey from Zelienople, PA to Altoona, PA takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Primarily utilizing the William Penn Highway, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Admiral Peary Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economically feasible day trip, allowing you to easily complete the drive in a single day. The drive is contained within the Northeast region, making for a straightforward exploration of Pennsylvania. You'll find this route to be a practical option for getting between these two points without requiring an overnight stay.
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
61 miles from Zelienople, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
William Penn Highway
61.5 mi
1h 25m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
28 mi
30m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
I 99
4.4 mi
4m
I 79
4 mi
4m
Perry Highway
2.1 mi
3m
17th Street
1.4 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
William Penn Highway
— 61.5 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zelienople, PA and Altoona, PA.
1
Start on US 19; PA 68
0.9 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 19
2.1 mi·3 min·Perry Highway
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto PA 528
357 ft·7 sec·Lindsay Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 79 South: PittsburghUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 79
4.0 mi·4 min·I 79
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 78-77Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 77Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 76; PATP
28 mi·30 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·2 min
Exit 57Toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, MonroevilleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 22 East: MurrysvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
4.4 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward 17th Street
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Altoona
21
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi·2 min·17th Street
22
Turn right onto PA 764
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
23
Turn left onto 7th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·7th Street
24
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
For this manageable 122-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With a duration of just under 3 hours and only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to take your time. The $20 fuel cost is minimal, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Zelienople to minimize any need for refueling. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the different named roads; specifically, be aware of when you'll be moving from the William Penn Highway onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as this will change the driving pace and environment.
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 61 miles from Zelienople, PA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.5 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61 miles or 1h 21m 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 17m
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 Zelienople, 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 Zelienople, PA
This is one driving day of about 122 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Zelienople, 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 61.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 37.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 78-77
Toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike
8
7.9 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
9
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 77
Toward I 76, PATP: Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg
8
37.5 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 376, US 22: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
7
37.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 22 East: Murrysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Murrysville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.23 one way
$40.45 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.15
$44.30
premium
$4.93
$23.66
$47.32
diesel
$5.61
$26.94
$53.87
Estimated Tolls: $3.64
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(28 mi)$3.64
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
$20
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.6
0
$12.81
$5.86
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
EV Truck/SUV
48.8
0
$17.08
$7.81
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Zelienople, PA
Afternoon
in Zelienople on Sunday
Local time
12:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Altoona, PA
Afternoon
in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
12:13 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
16 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 45m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 92.6
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
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 84.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "Mixed drive" profile for this 122-mile trip, with about 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a substantial 61.5-mile stretch on the William Penn Highway, offering a significant portion of uninterrupted travel. The route will likely transition between different road types, moving from potentially more local roads onto faster highway segments. This variation means you'll experience different driving dynamics throughout the 2-hour and 45-minute duration, keeping the journey engaging.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.5 mi on William Penn Highway.
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 7.3 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 122 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 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,357 ft849 ft
Total Climb
1,924 ft
Total Descent
1,707 ft
Highest Point
2,357 ft
~104.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,508 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Zelienople, PA and Altoona, PA, road signs point toward Cranberry, Pennsylvania Turnpike, Youngstown Ohio, Harrisburg, Patp: Youngstown Ohio and Monroeville - among others.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 122 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). 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 61.5 miles on William Penn Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.64 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.
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 7.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
