How far is Altoona, PA from Charlestown, PA?

The driving distance from Altoona, PA to Charlestown, PA is about 78.9 miles (126.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.6 miles (83 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
78.83 mi
01h 43m
Flight
51.59 mi
83.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Altoona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.59 mi
Kilometers
83.02 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
78.83 mi
Kilometers
126.87 km
Drive Time
01h 43m

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 01h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlestown
Mon, Apr 13, 1:38 AM EDT
Return by in Altoona
Mon, Apr 13, 3:22 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Altoona
2026-04-12T23:55
Arrive Charlestown
Mon, Apr 13, 1:38 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Altoona
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Bedford
PA

Town in Bedford County, Virginia, United States

From Altoona
39.4 mi
00h 51m
To Charlestown
39.4 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SE
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Charlestown.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Charlestown.

  1. 1

    Start on 7th Street

    1010 ft · 24 sec · 7th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lexington Avenue

    78 m · 17 sec · Lexington Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    1767 ft · 35 sec · 8th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 7th Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · 7th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 17th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford

    2305 ft · 56 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    32.1 mi · 35 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg

    1.4 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 220 Business South: Bedford

    87 m · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto Business 220

    1083 ft · 26 sec · Business 220

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg

    991 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg

    2050 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    15.5 mi · 17 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Breezewood, Baltimore, Washington DC

    1.9 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 30 East: Chambersburg, Gettysburg

    1079 ft · 47 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    15 mi · 21 min · Lincoln Highway

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Lincoln Way West

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Lincoln Way West

  18. 18

    Turn slight right onto Buchanan Trail

    6.9 mi · 12 min · Buchanan Trail

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Buchanan Trail West

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Charlestown.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 99 South
32.6 mi · 41%
Pennsylvania Turnpike
15.5 mi · 20%
Lincoln Highway
15 mi · 19%
Buchanan Trail
6.88 mi · 9%
Lincoln Way West
2.56 mi · 3%
US 30
1.91 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 99 South

Merge slight left

32.1 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
51.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bedford
00h 51m from Altoona
Leave By
3:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Charlestown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Charlestown?

The road trip is about 78.9 miles (126.9 km) and usually takes 01h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.4 miles from Altoona and 39.4 miles from Charlestown.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 51.6 miles (83 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.36 one way or $22.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Charlestown.

Stop Ideas Near Bedford

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bedford, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bedford.

BUS

Cumberland, MD

45 mi away
12401 Willowbrook Road SE
RAIL

Cumberland station

46 mi away
East Harrison and Queen City Street
BUS

Hancock, MD

47 mi away
434 East Main Street
RAIL

Johnstown

50 mi away
47 Walnut Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 51.59 mi (83.02 km).

Altoona

#1 Altoona

A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Population42,989
Coordinates40.5186800, -78.3947400
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Charlestown

#2 Charlestown

Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Population6,328
Coordinates39.8600900, -77.9344400
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Start: Altoona (-78.39474, 40.51868)
End: Charlestown (-77.93444, 39.86009)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.78 gal
10.53 L · about $11.36
Round trip
$22.72
5.56 gal · 21.06 L
Estimated CO2
24.7 kg one way
Round trip: 49.4 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.36 $22.72
Mid-grade $4.60 $12.79 $25.57
Premium $4.95 $13.77 $27.54
Diesel $5.98 $16.62 $33.25

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 · Apr 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Altoona and Charlestown. The current time is 23:55:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.