Driving Cost from Altoona, Pennsylvania to New York, New York

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of Driving from Altoona to New York: A Guide

Are you planning a trip from Altoona, Pennsylvania to New York City, New York? One of the primary concerns for any trip is the cost, and the cost of driving to NYC can vary depending on the route you choose. In this blog post, we'll break down the costs of different routes from Altoona to New York, based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-80 E and I-95 N

This route takes you through some beautiful areas on the East Coast, but it's also the longest route with a distance of about 275 miles. You'll start on I-80 E and then merge onto I-95 N. The entire trip takes about 5 hours, depending on traffic.

Costs

  • Gas prices: As of June 2021, the average gas price in Pennsylvania is around $3.15 per gallon, and in New York, it's around $3.03 per gallon. Assuming your car gets about 25 miles per gallon on the highway, you'll need about 11 gallons of gas for this route.
  • Toll prices: There are several tolls along this route, including the Delaware River Bridge toll ($5), the New Jersey Turnpike tolls ($15.40 with an EZ-Pass), and the George Washington Bridge toll ($16 with an EZ-Pass). Total tolls for this route would be approximately $36.

Therefore, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $105 (gas $35 and tolls $70).

Route 2: I-99 S and I-81 S

This route is slightly shorter than Route 1, with a distance of about 250 miles. You'll start on I-99 S and then merge onto I-81 S. The trip takes about 4 and a half hours, depending on traffic.

Costs

  • Gas prices: To travel this distance you will use about 10 gallons of gas, based on an average of 25 miles per gallon. Gas prices for I-99 and I-81 vary slightly but generally cost around $3.15 per gallon on the highway.
  • Toll prices: There are no tolls on this route!

Therefore, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $31.50 (gas only).

Route 3: US-220 S and I-476 S (PA Turnpike)

This route is the shortest route of the three, with a distance of about 220 miles. You'll start on US-220 S and then merge onto the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-476 S). The trip takes about 4 hours, depending on traffic.

Costs

  • Gas prices: Same as Route 2, you will use about 10 gallons with a cost of around $3.15 per gallon on the highway.
  • Toll prices: While this route is shorter, it involves the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which has some of the highest toll costs in the country. The tolls for this route are approximately $43.85.

Therefore, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $77.35 (gas $31.50 and tolls $45.85).

Conclusion

In summary, driving from Altoona, Pennsylvania to New York City, New York, can range from $31.50 to $105, depending on the route you choose and the current gas prices. Route 2, through I-99 S and I-81 S, is the cheapest and toll-free option. Meanwhile, Route 1, through I-80 E and I-95 N, is the longest and most expensive — but also the more scenic. Finally, Route 3, via US-220 S and I-476 S, is the shortest but also has the highest toll costs.

Make sure to plan your trip carefully and consider which route would be most efficient and cost-effective based on your needs. Happy travels!