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Trip from Clifford, PA to Reading, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 37m

Distance

121.3 mi

195 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 27m ★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Clifford, PA, PA

Clifford, PA

Ever Rayan

Trip Overview

The drive from Clifford, PA to Reading, PA covers 121.3 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Allentown Pike for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.11 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

60.7 miles from Clifford, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 121.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 37m highway drive covering 121.3 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 73.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 121.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
16.5 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 South: Clarks Summit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 Sout...
7
16.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PATP, I 476: Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
6
90.1 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 56 Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
93.8 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 49A Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
7
121 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | US 422 Business / Franklin Street

Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clifford, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp South, Patp and Harrisburg.

Patp South

16.5 mi in | ~22m

Patp

16.7 mi in | ~23m

Harrisburg

90.1 mi in | ~1h 47m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 73.3 mi 1h 24m
I 81 12 mi 14m
Allentown Pike 6 mi 10m
US 222 5.9 mi 7m
Kutztown Road 5.2 mi 7m
North 5th Street Highway 5 mi 8m
Schantz Road 3.5 mi 6m
State Route 374 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 73.3 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifford, PA and Reading, PA.

1

Start on this road

58 ft · 10 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto PA 106

1.6 mi · 2 min · State Route 106
3

Turn left onto PA 374

2.5 mi · 4 min · State Route 374
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
5

Merge onto I 81

12 mi · 14 min · I 81
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 6 West, US 11, PATP South, I 476 South: Clarks Summit Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

515 ft · 12 sec
Toward PATP, I 476: Allentown
8

Continue on I 476; PATP

73 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 2 min
Exit 56 Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
10

Merge onto US 22

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lehigh Valley Thruway
11

Merge onto I 78; US 22

1.8 mi · 2 min · William Penn Highway
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 46 sec
Exit 49A Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn straight onto PA 100

0.7 mi · 1 min · PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn right onto Schantz Road

3.5 mi · 6 min · Schantz Road
15

Enter roundabout onto US 222

21 ft · 0 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
16

Continue on US 222

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Hamilton Boulevard
17

Continue on US 222

3.8 mi · 5 min · Kutztown Road
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 222

5.9 mi · 7 min · US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Enter roundabout onto US 222

110 ft · 1 sec · Allentown Pike
20

Continue on US 222

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Allentown Pike
21

Continue on US 222

1.1 mi · 1 min · Kutztown Road
22

Continue on US 222

1.6 mi · 2 min · Allentown Pike
23

Enter roundabout onto US 222

97 ft · 4 sec · Allentown Pike
24

Continue on US 222

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Allentown Pike
25

Enter roundabout onto US 222

127 ft · 5 sec · Allentown Pike
26

Continue on US 222

1.1 mi · 1 min · Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
27

Continue on US 222

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Kutztown Road
28

Continue on US 222

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Allentown Pike
29

Continue on US 222 BUS

1.9 mi · 3 min · Allentown Pike
30

Continue on US 222 BUS

5.0 mi · 8 min · North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
31

Continue on US 222 BUS

0.1 mi · 22 sec · South 5th Street
32

Turn left onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
33

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
34

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
35

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.7 miles from Clifford, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 27 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.7 miles or 1h 13m 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 4m

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 Clifford, 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 Clifford, PA

This is one driving day of about 121.3 miles and 2h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Clifford, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 73.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.7 mi from Clifford, PA · 1h 13m into the drive

borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palmerton, PA

61 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Scranton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmerton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Clifford, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.3 miles.

Arriving in Reading, PA

The final approach into Reading, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Reading, PA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.11 one way

$40.22 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $22.03 $44.05
premium $4.93 $23.52 $47.05
diesel $5.61 $26.78 $53.56

Estimated Tolls: $9.61

Pennsylvania Turnpike (73.3 mi) $9.53
Lehigh Valley Thruway (1.1 mi) $0.08

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Tolls

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.74 $5.82
Efficient EV 30.3 0 $10.61 $4.85
EV Truck/SUV 48.5 0 $16.98 $7.76

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 14, 2026

Origin

Clifford, PA

Morning in Clifford on Thursday

Local time

9:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Thursday

Local time

9:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

W 5 mph 36% chance 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

8 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

2h 37m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clifford, PA to Reading, PA covers 121.3 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Allentown Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.7 miles from Clifford, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 121.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clifford, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp South, Patp and Harrisburg.

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