How far is Mechanicsburg, PA from Altoona, PA?

The driving distance from Mechanicsburg, PA to Altoona, PA is about 131.7 miles (211.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.9 miles (122.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m 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
131.65 mi
02h 31m
Flight
75.94 mi
122.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mechanicsburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
75.94 mi
Kilometers
122.22 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.65 mi
Kilometers
211.87 km
Drive Time
02h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Altoona
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM EDT
Return by in Mechanicsburg
Thu, Apr 23, 3:29 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mechanicsburg
2026-04-22T22:26
Arrive Altoona
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:26 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mechanicsburg
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
Valley-Hi
PA

Borough of Pennsylvania

From Mechanicsburg
65.7 mi
01h 15m
To Altoona
65.9 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW
Destination
67°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Market Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · North Market Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Cumberland Parkway

    3186 ft · 1 min · Cumberland Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Gettysburg Pike

    1081 ft · 42 sec · Gettysburg Pike

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Winding Hill Road

    144 m · 19 sec · East Winding Hill Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Winding Hill Road

    768 ft · 29 sec · East Winding Hill Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward US 15 North, PATP: Camp Hill, Harrisburg

    975 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1483 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia

    3275 ft · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 76 West: Pittsburgh

    1015 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    90.9 mi · 1 hr 40 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 Mechanicsburg 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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike
91.2 mi · 69%
I 99 North
33 mi · 25%
17th Street
2.02 mi · 2%
North Market Street
1.72 mi · 1%
6th Avenue
0.75 mi · 1%
I 76
0.62 mi
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

90.9 mi · 01h 40m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.8 mi
75.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valley-Hi
01h 15m from Mechanicsburg
Leave By
1:26 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Mechanicsburg and Chance Rain Showers then Slight 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 Mechanicsburg to Altoona?

The road trip is about 131.7 miles (211.9 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?

Valley-Hi is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.7 miles from Mechanicsburg and 65.9 miles from Altoona.

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

The direct path is about 75.9 miles (122.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.8 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 1:26 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.00 one way or $38.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Mechanicsburg and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.

Stop Ideas Near Valley-Hi

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

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

BUS

Hancock, MD

37 mi away
434 East Main Street
RAIL

Huntingdon

53 mi away
Fourth and Allegheny Sts.
RAIL

Altoona Transportation Center

57 mi away
1231 11th Avenue
BUS

Hagerstown, MD

59 mi away
123 West Franklin Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mechanicsburg and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 75.94 mi (122.22 km).

Mechanicsburg

#1 Mechanicsburg

Borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA

Population8,999
Coordinates40.2142600, -77.0085900
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Altoona

#2 Altoona

A city in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Population42,989
Coordinates40.5186800, -78.3947400
Altitude355
CountryUnited States
Start: Mechanicsburg (-77.00859, 40.21426)
End: Altoona (-78.39474, 40.51868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 212 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.65 gal
17.59 L · about $19.00
Round trip
$38.00
9.3 gal · 35.18 L
Estimated CO2
41.3 kg one way
Round trip: 82.6 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $19.00 $38.00
Mid-grade $4.60 $21.39 $42.77
Premium $4.95 $23.04 $46.07
Diesel $5.98 $27.81 $55.61

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

There is no time difference between Mechanicsburg and Altoona. The current time is 22:26:19.

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.