How far is Lancaster, PA from Altoona, PA?
The driving distance from Lancaster, PA to Altoona, PA is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lancaster and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lancaster and Altoona.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 3 sec
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2
Turn right onto East King Street
1163 ft · 49 sec · East King Street
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3
Turn left onto North Lime Street
570 ft · 27 sec · North Lime Street
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4
Turn left onto East Orange Street
1226 ft · 27 sec · East Orange Street
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5
Turn right onto North Queen Street
1.6 km · 3 min · North Queen Street
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6
Turn left onto McGovern Avenue
122 m · 14 sec · McGovern Avenue
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7
Turn slight right
1343 ft · 36 sec
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8
Continue on Fruitville Pike
1 mi · 2 min · Fruitville Pike
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9
Take the ramp left toward PA 283 West: Harrisburg
2596 ft · 46 sec
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10
Merge slight left
28.5 mi · 33 min
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11
Turn slight left onto I 76 Toll, PATP Toll: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
765 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left
124 m · 1 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 West: Pittsburgh
2614 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
101.9 mi · 1 hr 51 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
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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 Lancaster 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
102 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Lancaster and Sunny near Altoona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lancaster to Altoona?
The road trip is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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 85.5 miles from Lancaster and 83.4 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115 miles (185.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.35 one way or $48.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lancaster and Sunny near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Lurgan
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 Lurgan.
Hagerstown, MD
Huntingdon
Lewistown
Hancock, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lancaster and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 115.03 mi (185.12 km).
#1 Lancaster
City in central Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 17,106 |
| Coordinates | 40.0378800, -76.3055100 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| 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: 7th Street (-78.394928, 40.518478)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $24.35 | $48.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $27.41 | $54.82 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $29.53 | $59.05 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $35.64 | $71.28 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.