How far is Altoona, PA from New Castle, PA?
The driving distance from Altoona, PA to New Castle, PA is about 126 miles (202.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.5 miles (173 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and New Castle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and New Castle.
-
1
Start on 7th Street
1010 ft · 24 sec · 7th Street
-
2
Turn left onto Lexington Avenue
78 m · 17 sec · Lexington Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto 8th Street
1767 ft · 35 sec · 8th Street
-
4
Turn right onto 7th Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · 7th Avenue
-
5
Continue on 6th Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · 6th Avenue
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward US 22 West: Ebensburg
1426 ft · 30 sec
-
7
Continue straight
1779 ft · 22 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on US 22 West: Ebensburg
16.2 mi · 19 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Ebensburg, Loretto
1853 ft · 45 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ebensburg, Loretto
137 m · 13 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Rowena Drive
3002 ft · 1 min · Rowena Drive
-
12
Continue on East High Street
1 km · 2 min · East High Street
-
13
Take the exit straight
56 m · 8 sec
-
14
Continue on Ben Franklin Highway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Ben Franklin Highway
-
15
Merge slight left onto Benjamin Franklin Highway
6 mi · 9 min · Benjamin Franklin Highway
-
16
Continue on Ben Franklin Highway
42.8 mi · 56 min · Ben Franklin Highway
-
17
Take the exit slight right
47.1 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
18
Continue on New Butler Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · New Butler Road
-
19
Continue on Butler Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Butler Avenue
-
20
Turn slight left onto Taylor Street
2391 ft · 48 sec · Taylor Street
-
21
Continue on Shadyside Street
637 ft · 13 sec · Shadyside Street
-
22
Turn straight onto Neal Street
870 ft · 23 sec · Neal Street
-
23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Grove Avenue
112 m · 11 sec · Grove Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto South Mill Street
1474 ft · 48 sec · South Mill Street
-
25
Turn left onto East North Street
802 ft · 28 sec · East North Street
-
26
Turn right onto North Jefferson Street
938 ft · 45 sec · North Jefferson Street
-
27
Turn right
41 m · 10 sec
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and New Castle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ben Franklin Highway
Take the exit slight right
47.1 mi · 01h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Scattered Rain Showers near New Castle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to New Castle?
The road trip is about 126 miles (202.8 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Elderton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.9 miles from Altoona and 63.1 miles from New Castle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.5 miles (173 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.18 one way or $36.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Scattered Rain Showers near New Castle.
Stop Ideas Near Elderton
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 Elderton.
Latrobe station
Greensburg
Johnstown
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and New Castle. Straight-line distance: 107.52 mi (173.04 km).
#1 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 New Castle
City in and the county seat of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 22,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0036700, -80.3470100 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: New Castle (-80.34701, 41.00367)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $18.18 | $36.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $20.47 | $40.93 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $22.05 | $44.09 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $26.61 | $53.22 |
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 · 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.