How far is Altoona, PA from Center City, PA?
The driving distance from Altoona, PA to Center City, PA is about 237.6 miles (382.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.1 miles (281.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Center City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Center City.
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1
Start on 7th Street
1010 ft · 24 sec · 7th Street
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2
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
78 m · 17 sec · Lexington Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 8th Street
1767 ft · 35 sec · 8th Street
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4
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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5
Turn left onto 17th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · 17th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
2305 ft · 56 sec
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7
Merge slight left
32.1 mi · 35 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on US 220 Business South: Bedford
87 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn slight right onto Business 220
1083 ft · 26 sec · Business 220
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
991 ft · 24 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
2050 ft · 50 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi · 3 hr 16 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, Philadelphia
18 mi · 26 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Vine Street Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Vine Street Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Central Philadelphia
731 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
96 m · 11 sec
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18
Turn right onto North 15th Street
144 m · 17 sec · North 15th Street
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19
Turn left onto Race Street
1541 ft · 39 sec · Race Street
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20
Turn right onto North 12th Street
1682 ft · 51 sec · North 12th Street
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21
Turn left onto Ludlow Street
69 m · 10 sec · Ludlow Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Ludlow Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Center City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
181 mi · 03h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Center City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Center City?
The road trip is about 237.6 miles (382.4 km) and usually takes 04h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Middlesex is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.6 miles from Altoona and 119 miles from Center City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.1 miles (281.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.24 one way or $68.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Center City.
Stop Ideas Near Middlesex
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Middlesex.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Lewistown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Center City. Straight-line distance: 175.1 mi (281.79 km).
#1 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Center City
Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA
| Population | 57,239 |
| Coordinates | 39.9512000, -75.1592300 |
| Altitude | - |
| Country | United States |
End: Center City (-75.15923, 39.9512)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $34.24 | $68.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $38.54 | $77.08 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $41.51 | $83.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $50.11 | $100.22 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.