How far is Ephrata, PA from Altoona, PA?

The driving distance from Ephrata, PA to Altoona, PA is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119 miles (191.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m 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
175.48 mi
02h 58m
Flight
119 mi
191.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ephrata.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119 mi
Kilometers
191.52 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.48 mi
Kilometers
282.4 km
Drive Time
02h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Altoona
Sun, Apr 19, 10:31 AM EDT
Return by in Ephrata
Sun, Apr 19, 1:29 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ephrata
2026-04-19T07:32
Arrive Altoona
Sun, Apr 19, 10:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ephrata
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
Lurgan
PA

City in United States of America

From Ephrata
87.6 mi
01h 29m
To Altoona
87.9 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 18 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 Ephrata and Altoona.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    5 mi · 10 min · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on East 28th Division Highway

    6.5 mi · 10 min · East 28th Division Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on Twenty-Eighth Division Highway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Twenty-Eighth Division Highway

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on PA 72 South: PA Turnpike, Lancaster

    102 m · 9 sec

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Lebanon Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Lebanon Road

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward PATP

    1000 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg

    1469 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    121.2 mi · 2 hr 12 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown

    1614 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Business 220

    1440 ft · 44 sec · Business 220

  11. 11

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

    1124 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

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

    1502 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    32.7 mi · 35 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward 17th Street

    2530 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Altoona

    901 ft · 22 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto 17th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 17th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · 6th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 7th Street

    976 ft · 19 sec · 7th Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ephrata 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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike
121 mi · 69%
I 99 North
33 mi · 19%
East 28th Division Highway
6.54 mi · 4%
West Main Street
4.97 mi · 3%
Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
3.87 mi · 2%
17th Street
2.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

121 mi · 02h 12m

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
02h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+56.5 mi
119 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lurgan
01h 29m from Ephrata
Leave By
12:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Ephrata 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 Ephrata to Altoona?

The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.4 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?

Lurgan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Ephrata and 87.9 miles from Altoona.

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

The direct path is about 119 miles (191.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.5 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 12:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.29 one way or $50.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lurgan

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

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

BUS

Hagerstown, MD

51 mi away
123 West Franklin Street
RAIL

Huntingdon

54 mi away
Fourth and Allegheny Sts.
RAIL

Lewistown

55 mi away
150 Helen Street
BUS

Hancock, MD

63 mi away
434 East Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ephrata and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 119 mi (191.52 km).

Ephrata

#1 Ephrata

City of the state Washington, United States

Population13,801
Coordinates40.1798200, -76.1788400
Altitude110
CountryUnited States
Altoona

#2 Altoona

A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Population42,989
Coordinates40.5186800, -78.3947400
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: West Main Street (-76.178912, 40.179754)
End: 7th Street (-78.394928, 40.518478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 282 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.19 gal
23.44 L · about $25.29
Round trip
$50.58
12.38 gal · 46.88 L
Estimated CO2
55 kg one way
Round trip: 110 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $25.29 $50.58
Mid-grade $4.60 $28.47 $56.94
Premium $4.95 $30.67 $61.33
Diesel $5.98 $37.02 $74.03

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 Ephrata and Altoona. The current time is 07:32:57.

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.