How far is Altoona, PA from Lancaster, PA?
The driving distance from Altoona, PA to Lancaster, PA is about 171.1 miles (275.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 40m 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 03h 20m.
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.
City in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Lancaster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Lancaster.
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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
-
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
102.1 mi · 1 hr 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 283, PA 283: Harrisburg, Hershey
3010 ft · 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward PA 283 East: Airport, Lancaster
1853 ft · 45 sec
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16
Merge slight left
28.2 mi · 33 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Fruitville Pike
1525 ft · 34 sec
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18
Keep slight right
90 m · 7 sec
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19
Keep slight right
87 m · 9 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Fruitville Pike
1.5 km · 2 min · Fruitville Pike
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21
Continue on North Prince Street
1.4 mi · 5 min · North Prince Street
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22
Turn left onto West Vine Street
592 ft · 24 sec · West Vine Street
-
23
Turn left onto South Queen Street
155 m · 19 sec · South Queen Street
-
24
Turn right
27 m · 6 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Lancaster.
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
102 mi · 01h 52m
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.
Sunny leaving Altoona and Sunny near Lancaster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Lancaster?
The road trip is about 171.1 miles (275.3 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Lurgan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.4 miles from Altoona and 85.6 miles from Lancaster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115 miles (185.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.1 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 10:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.68 one way or $49.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Altoona and Sunny near Lancaster.
Stop Ideas Near Lurgan
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 Lurgan.
Hagerstown, MD
Huntingdon
Lewistown
Hancock, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Lancaster. Straight-line distance: 115.03 mi (185.12 km).
#1 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lancaster (-76.30551, 40.03788)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 275 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $24.68 | $49.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $27.78 | $55.56 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $29.92 | $59.84 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.