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Trip from Clifton, PA to Reading, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 11m

Distance

259.4 mi

417 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 58m ★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clifton, PA, PA

Clifton, PA

Boys in Bristol Photography

Trip Overview

The drive from Clifton, PA to Reading, PA covers 259.4 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222, Lincoln Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 219.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.01 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

129.7 miles from Clifton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 219.9 mi 4h
US 222 7.4 mi 9m
Lincoln Way 6.2 mi 11m
US 222 BUS 4.9 mi 8m
Lebanon Church Road 3.9 mi 6m
Lincoln Highway 3.3 mi 6m
Bethel Church Road 2.5 mi 5m
Broughton Road 2.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 219.9 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

271 ft · 25 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto Orange Belt

0.4 mi · 1 min · McMurray Road
3

Turn left onto Bethel Church Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Bethel Church Road
Use the left lane.
4

Turn slight right

176 ft · 4 sec
5

Continue on Bethel Church Road

1.5 mi · 3 min · Bethel Church Road
6

Continue on Yellow Belt

2.4 mi · 5 min · Broughton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

At end of road, turn left onto Yellow Belt

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Brownsville Road
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on Yellow Belt

1.3 mi · 2 min · Curry Hollow Road
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on Yellow Belt

2.9 mi · 4 min · Lebanon Church Road
10

Keep slight right at fork onto Yellow Belt

1.0 mi · 1 min · Lebanon Church Road
11

Turn slight right onto Yellow Belt

0.5 mi · 45 sec · Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard
12

Continue on Yellow Belt

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Richland Avenue
13

Continue on Yellow Belt

0.4 mi · 31 sec · W.D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge
14

Keep slight left at fork onto Yellow Belt

2.1 mi · 3 min · Yellow Belt
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on PA 148; Yellow Belt

1.0 mi · 2 min · 5th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Turn right onto Lincoln Way

5.9 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Way
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on Lincoln Way

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Lincoln Way
18

Turn slight right onto US 30

3.3 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Highway
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward PATP, I 76
20

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · this road
Toward PATP, I 76
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 76; PATP

220 mi · 4 hr · Pennsylvania Turnpike
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata Use the slight right lane.
24

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
25

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
27

Merge onto US 222

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 222
28

Continue on US 222

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 222
29

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS

4.9 mi · 8 min · US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington Use the slight right lane.
30

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
32

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
33

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
34

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

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 129.7 miles from Clifton, PA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 57 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 129.7 miles or 2h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 13m

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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, PA

This is one driving day of about 259.4 miles and 5h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Clifton, 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 for about 219.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

130 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

White, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.7 miles from Clifton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Upper St Clair, Pennsylvania

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14123474790

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania

2 mi

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

2.5 mi

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Upper St Clair, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14123474790

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–1 pm

+14129429100

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.5

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Oasis Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 3–8 pm

+14125645007

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.1

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

Cassidy Family Restaurants LP

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 18.5

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17245155983

Visit website

Luma | Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $40 to $50

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14123430355

Visit website

Orbis Caffe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Pittsburgh, PA

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14125631220

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–8 am

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 74.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Ionna Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 74.1

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 37.1

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Gibraltar Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 259.4

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 253.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Bethel Church Road

Turn left onto Bethel Church Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
12.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | Yellow Belt

Keep slight left at fork onto Yellow Belt

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
25 mi into trip | ~48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
245.3 mi into trip | ~4h 49m in

Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata

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 222: Reading, Ephrata
7
253.8 mi into trip | ~5h 1m in | US 222 BUS

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington

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 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shill...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.01 one way

$86.01 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $47.10 $94.20
premium $4.93 $50.31 $100.61
diesel $5.61 $57.27 $114.54

Estimated Tolls: $28.58

Pennsylvania Turnpike (219.9 mi) $28.58

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

$43

Tolls

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 77.8 0 $27.24 $12.45
Efficient EV 64.9 0 $22.70 $10.38
EV Truck/SUV 103.8 1 $36.32 $16.60

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 16, 2026

Origin

Clifton, PA

Afternoon in Clifton on Saturday

Local time

4:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Afternoon in Reading on Saturday

Local time

4:25 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

130 mi in

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

13 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 11m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

National Monument

More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 187.9
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 80.5
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 223.6
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 44.7
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 98.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

259.4 mi in 5h 11m, mostly highway — 219.9 mi of that is on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Bethel Church Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 259.4 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 0.4 miles (Bethel Church Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (Yellow Belt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Clifton, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Ephrata.

Patp

24.7 mi in | ~47m

Ephrata

245.3 mi in | ~4h 49m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 259.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 219.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $28.58 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Reading, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (Bethel Church Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (Yellow Belt): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Reading, PA before the return drive.

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.

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