How far is Altoona, PA from Chester, PA?
The driving distance from Altoona, PA to Chester, PA is about 229.9 miles (370 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Chester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Chester.
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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
166.7 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
2289 ft · 1 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on PA 100 South: Downingtown
3108 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Pottstown Pike
7.1 mi · 11 min · Pottstown Pike
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17
Merge slight left
1.6 mi · 2 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward PA 3: Newtown Square
547 ft · 24 sec
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19
Turn right onto West Chester Pike
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
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20
Turn right onto South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
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21
Continue on Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · Middletown Road
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22
Continue on South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road
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23
Continue on Edgmont Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Edgmont Avenue
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24
Continue on Avenue of the States
1674 ft · 39 sec · Avenue of the States
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25
Turn slight left onto Welsh Street
1021 ft · 40 sec · Welsh Street
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26
Turn left onto East 5th Street
593 ft · 26 sec · East 5th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Chester.
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
167 mi · 03h 01m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Chester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Chester?
The road trip is about 229.9 miles (370 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.8 miles from Altoona and 115.1 miles from Chester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.1 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 7:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.14 one way or $66.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Mostly Sunny near Chester.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Lewistown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Chester. Straight-line distance: 166.86 mi (268.54 km).
#1 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chester
City in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 4,072 |
| Coordinates | 39.8496700, -75.3570700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chester (-75.35707, 39.84967)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $33.14 | $66.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $37.30 | $74.60 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $40.18 | $80.35 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $48.50 | $97.00 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.