How far is Chester, PA from Altoona, PA?
The driving distance from Chester, PA to Altoona, PA is about 229.8 miles (369.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 58m 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 04h 29m.
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.
Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chester and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chester and Altoona.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
593 ft · 30 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn right onto Welsh Street
1021 ft · 32 sec · Welsh Street
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3
Continue on Avenue of the States
1674 ft · 38 sec · Avenue of the States
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4
Continue on Edgmont Avenue
2.7 mi · 5 min · Edgmont Avenue
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5
Continue on South New Middletown Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · South New Middletown Road
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6
Continue on North Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road
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7
Continue on South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
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8
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
3.2 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
1172 ft · 45 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chester Bypass
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11
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton
7.5 mi · 12 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward PATP
1875 ft · 46 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1685 ft · 41 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
167 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown
1614 ft · 47 sec
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16
Turn left onto Business 220
1440 ft · 42 sec · Business 220
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17
Take the ramp left toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
1124 ft · 27 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
1502 ft · 37 sec
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19
Merge slight left
32.7 mi · 35 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street
2530 ft · 1 min
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Altoona
901 ft · 22 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto 17th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street
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23
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 6th Avenue
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24
Turn left onto 7th Street
976 ft · 19 sec · 7th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chester and Altoona.
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
167 mi · 03h 01m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chester and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chester to Altoona?
The road trip is about 229.8 miles (369.8 km) and usually takes 04h 29m 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?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.8 miles from Chester and 115 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.8 miles (268.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 63 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 8:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.14 one way or $66.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chester and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Lewistown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chester and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 166.86 mi (268.54 km).
#1 Chester
City in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 4,072 |
| Coordinates | 39.8496700, -75.3570700 |
| Altitude | 4 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altoona
A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.
| Population | 42,989 |
| Coordinates | 40.5186800, -78.3947400 |
| Altitude | 355 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altoona (-78.39474, 40.51868)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 370 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $33.14 | $66.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $37.30 | $74.60 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $40.18 | $80.35 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $48.50 | $97.00 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.