How far is Charlestown, PA from Altoona, PA?

The driving distance from Charlestown, PA to Altoona, PA is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.6 miles (83 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
81.26 mi
01h 32m
Flight
51.59 mi
83.02 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Charlestown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.59 mi
Kilometers
83.02 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.26 mi
Kilometers
130.77 km
Drive Time
01h 32m

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 01h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Altoona
Sun, Apr 19, 7:28 AM EDT
Return by in Charlestown
Sun, Apr 19, 9:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Charlestown
2026-04-19T05:55
Arrive Altoona
Sun, Apr 19, 7:28 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:26 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Charlestown
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Bedford
PA

Town in Bedford County, Virginia, United States

From Charlestown
39.3 mi
00h 46m
To Altoona
42 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph NW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Buchanan Trail West

    6.9 mi · 12 min · Buchanan Trail West

  2. 2

    Continue on Lincoln Way East

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Lincoln Way East

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Lincoln Highway

    15 mi · 22 min · Lincoln Highway

  4. 4

    Take the exit left toward I 70 West, I 76: Turnpike

    110 m · 10 sec

  5. 5

    Continue on Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West, I 76 West: Pittsburgh

    1913 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    15.5 mi · 17 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown

    1614 ft · 47 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Business 220

    1440 ft · 42 sec · Business 220

  10. 10

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

    1124 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

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

    1502 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    32.7 mi · 35 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street

    2530 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Altoona

    901 ft · 22 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto 17th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · 6th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 7th Street

    976 ft · 19 sec · 7th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Charlestown 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
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 99 North
33 mi · 41%
Pennsylvania Turnpike
15.8 mi · 19%
Lincoln Highway
15 mi · 18%
Buchanan Trail West
6.89 mi · 8%
Lincoln Way East
2.54 mi · 3%
17th Street
2.02 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 99 North

Merge slight left

32.7 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.7 mi
51.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bedford
00h 46m from Charlestown
Leave By
3:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Charlestown and Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny near Altoona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?

Bedford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.3 miles from Charlestown and 42 miles from Altoona.

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

The direct path is about 51.6 miles (83 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 3:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.73 one way or $23.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Charlestown and Rain Showers Likely then Partly Sunny near Altoona.

Stop Ideas Near Bedford

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

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

BUS

Cumberland, MD

45 mi away
12401 Willowbrook Road SE
RAIL

Cumberland station

46 mi away
East Harrison and Queen City Street
BUS

Hancock, MD

47 mi away
434 East Main Street
RAIL

Johnstown

50 mi away
47 Walnut Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Charlestown and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 51.59 mi (83.02 km).

Charlestown

#1 Charlestown

Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Population6,328
Coordinates39.8600900, -77.9344400
Altitude232
CountryUnited States
Altoona

#2 Altoona

A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Population42,989
Coordinates40.5186800, -78.3947400
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: Buchanan Trail West (-77.93471, 39.85989)
End: 7th Street (-78.394928, 40.518478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.85 L · about $11.73
Round trip
$23.45
5.74 gal · 21.7 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $11.73 $23.45
Mid-grade $4.60 $13.20 $26.40
Premium $4.95 $14.22 $28.44
Diesel $5.98 $17.16 $34.33

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Charlestown and Altoona. The current time is 05:55:50.

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.