Planning a trip from Clearfield, PA, to Reading, PA? This 182.1-mile drive will take you about 3 hours and 35 minutes, making it a manageable one-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost is around $30. You'll primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway and State Route 54, with some time on Center Avenue. This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, so expect frequent adjustments. Given its duration and character, it's well-suited for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91 miles from Clearfield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.7 mi
1h 51m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clearfield, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on River Road
89 ft·8 sec·River Road
2
Turn left onto US 322; PA 153
413 ft·8 sec·Nichols Street
3
Continue on US 322
487 ft·10 sec·Bridge Street
4
Turn slight left onto US 322
1.4 mi·2 min·Bigler Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Merge onto PA 879
1.4 mi·2 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
8
Merge onto I 80
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
10
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
11
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
13
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
14
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
16
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
17
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
18
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
19
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
20
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
21
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
22
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
23
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
24
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
25
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
27
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
28
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
35
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
36
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
37
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
38
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
For this roughly 3.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Reading with ample time for activities. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider breaking up the 182.1 miles with a brief pause around the halfway point, especially given the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $30. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the Keystone Shortway to State Route 54, as this is likely where the character of the drive changes most significantly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91 miles from Clearfield, PA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reading, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clearfield, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clearfield, PA
This is one driving day of about 182.1 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Clearfield, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 103.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 181.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street
Turn left onto US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street
Navigation decision point
5
107.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
107.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
181.9 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.19 one way
$60.38 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$33.06
$66.13
premium
$4.93
$35.32
$70.63
diesel
$5.61
$40.21
$80.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.6
0
$19.12
$8.74
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
EV Truck/SUV
72.8
0
$25.49
$11.65
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clearfield, PA
Afternoon
in Clearfield on Saturday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Saturday
Local time
3:38 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 150.7
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction. With only a 6% highway share, most of your time will be spent on non-interstate roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 103.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to more localized routes. Be prepared for a varied driving experience that demands attention to navigation as you move through different road types.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 182.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clearfield, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Clearfield is a borough in Clearfield County Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Clearfield County, a part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The community is known for its abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities, such as hiking, bicycling, hunting, fishing and canoeing.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 35m. Total distance: 182.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 322; PA 153 / Nichols Street): Navigation decision point; at 107.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.5 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
