How far is Bristol, PA from Altoona, PA?

The driving distance from Bristol, PA to Altoona, PA is about 251.7 miles (405 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 188.9 miles (304 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
251.66 mi
03h 52m
Flight
188.88 mi
303.97 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bristol.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
188.88 mi
Kilometers
303.97 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
251.66 mi
Kilometers
405 km
Drive Time
03h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Altoona
Thu, Apr 30, 7:21 AM EDT
Return by in Bristol
Thu, Apr 30, 11:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bristol
2026-04-30T03:29
Arrive Altoona
Thu, Apr 30, 7:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:16 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bristol
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Mechanicsburg
PA

Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA

From Bristol
125.8 mi
01h 56m
To Altoona
125.9 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
55°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    48 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    154 m · 28 sec · Washington Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Wood Street

    742 ft · 38 sec · Wood Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Jefferson Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Jefferson Avenue

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Beaver Street

    852 ft · 31 sec · Beaver Street

  6. 6

    Turn slight right onto Bristol Pike

    1 km · 1 min · Bristol Pike

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    3187 ft · 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 95 South: Philadelphia, Harrisburg

    2266 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike

    211.3 mi · 3 hr 50 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown

    1614 ft · 47 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Business 220

    1440 ft · 42 sec · Business 220

  13. 13

    Take the ramp left toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona

    1124 ft · 27 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona

    1502 ft · 37 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    32.7 mi · 35 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street

    2530 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on Altoona

    901 ft · 22 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto 17th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · 6th Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 7th Street

    976 ft · 19 sec · 7th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike
213 mi · 85%
I 99 North
33 mi · 13%
17th Street
2.02 mi · 1%
6th Avenue
0.75 mi
Bristol Pike
0.65 mi
Jefferson Avenue
0.64 mi
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Keep slight left to continue on Pennsylvania Turnpike

211 mi · 03h 50m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 52m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+62.8 mi
188.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mechanicsburg
01h 56m from Bristol
Leave By
9:16 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Bristol and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain near Altoona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 251.7 miles (405 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?

Mechanicsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.8 miles from Bristol and 125.9 miles from Altoona.

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

The direct path is about 188.9 miles (304 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.8 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 9:16 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.28 one way or $72.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Bristol and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain near Altoona.

Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsburg

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mechanicsburg, 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 Mechanicsburg.

RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

12 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
RAIL

Middletown

24 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street
RAIL

Elizabethtown station

34 mi away
South Wilson Avenue at West High Street
RAIL

Mount Joy

45 mi away
East Henry St. and North Market St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bristol and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 188.88 mi (303.97 km).

Bristol

#1 Bristol

The most populous city in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Population53,311
Coordinates40.1006700, -74.8518300
Altitude6
CountryUnited States
Altoona

#2 Altoona

A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Population42,989
Coordinates40.5186800, -78.3947400
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: (-74.85185, 40.100681)
End: 7th Street (-78.394928, 40.518478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 405 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.88 gal
33.62 L · about $36.28
Round trip
$72.57
17.76 gal · 67.24 L
Estimated CO2
78.9 kg one way
Round trip: 157.8 kg / 348 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $36.28 $72.57
Mid-grade $4.60 $40.84 $81.68
Premium $4.95 $43.99 $87.98
Diesel $5.98 $53.10 $106.20

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Bristol and Altoona. The current time is 03:29:49.

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.