How far is Philadelphia, PA from Altoona, PA?
The driving distance from Philadelphia, PA to Altoona, PA is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m 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 03h 44m.
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.
Township in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Philadelphia and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia and Altoona.
-
1
Start on South Penn Square
121 m · 9 sec · South Penn Square
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2
Keep slight left to continue on East Penn Square
737 ft · 19 sec · East Penn Square
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3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
803 ft · 21 sec · John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
2132 ft · 55 sec · North 16th Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
1091 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Vine Street Expressway
1 mi · 2 min · Vine Street Expressway
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7
Merge slight right onto Schuylkill Expressway
16.4 mi · 23 min · Schuylkill Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 202, US 422 West: King of Prussia, West Chester, Pottstown
632 ft · 10 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 202 South, US 422 West: Mall Boulevard, West Chester, Pottstown, Swedesford Road
1447 ft · 22 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Mall Boulevard
1331 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: New Jersey, Harrisburg
533 ft · 8 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Schuylkill Expressway
2317 ft · 53 sec · Schuylkill Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1919 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
181.2 mi · 3 hr 16 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
-
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 Philadelphia 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
181 mi · 03h 16m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia to Altoona?
The road trip is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?
Middlesex is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.7 miles from Philadelphia and 118.8 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.24 one way or $68.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Philadelphia and Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Middlesex
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 Middlesex.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Lewistown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Philadelphia and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 174.84 mi (281.38 km).
#1 Philadelphia
The sixth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,578,487 |
| Coordinates | 39.9523300, -75.1637900 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| 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: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $34.24 | $68.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $38.54 | $77.08 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $41.51 | $83.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $50.11 | $100.22 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.