How far is Altoona, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Altoona, PA to Reading, PA is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 03h 01m.
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 Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Reading.
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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
141.3 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
1054 ft · 36 sec
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15
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
3108 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
623 ft · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 222 North: Reading
1468 ft · 36 sec
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18
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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19
Continue straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
4.9 mi · 9 min
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21
Turn left onto South 5th Street
2195 ft · 47 sec · South 5th Street
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22
Turn right onto Franklin Street
550 ft · 17 sec · Franklin Street
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23
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
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24
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Reading.
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
141 mi · 02h 34m
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 Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Reading?
The road trip is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Washington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96 miles from Altoona and 98.2 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.8 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 10:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.03 one way or $56.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 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 Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Washington
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 Washington.
Lewistown
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Huntingdon
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Reading. Straight-line distance: 130.41 mi (209.87 km).
#1 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
End: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $28.03 | $56.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $31.55 | $63.10 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $33.98 | $67.97 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $41.02 | $82.05 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.