Origin
Erie, PA
Afternoon in Erie on Monday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Erie, PA to Reading, PA
Drive Time
6h 36m
Distance
349.2 mi
562 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 24m
★
6 AM
6h 36m
8 AM
7h 1m
10 AM
6h 45m
12 PM
6h 43m
3 PM
6h 46m
5 PM
6h 59m
8 PM
6h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Erie, PA to Reading, PA covers 349.2 miles and takes about 6h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, State Route 54 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 204.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.78 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
174.6 miles from Erie, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 36m drive with frequent turns across 349.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 204.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Greengarden Boulevard
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
West Bayfront Parkway
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
Navigation decision point
5
274.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m 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
6
349 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Erie, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
274.4 mi in
|
~4h 58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 204.4 mi | 3h 39m |
| Raymond P Shafer Highway | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 204.4 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on State Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
2
Turn right onto PA 5; PA 290
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West 12th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Greengarden Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Greengarden Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto West Bayfront Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Bayfront Parkway
5
Continue on I 79
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Raymond P Shafer Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
7
Merge onto I 80
204 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
9
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
10
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
12
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
13
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
15
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
16
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
17
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
18
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
19
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
20
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
21
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
22
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
23
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
24
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
26
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
27
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
34
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
35
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 174.6 miles from Erie, PA, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 204.4 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.6 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 17m
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 Erie, 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 Erie, PA
This is one driving day of about 349.2 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Erie, 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 204.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.6 mi from Erie, PA · 3h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.6 miles from Erie, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 204.4 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.78 one way
$115.57 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $63.23 | $126.45 |
| premium | $4.92 | $67.67 | $135.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.58 | $155.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.67 | $16.76 |
| Efficient EV | 87.3 | 0 | $30.55 | $13.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.7 | 1 | $48.89 | $22.35 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon in Reading on Monday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°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
35 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
6h 36m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Erie, PA to Reading, PA covers 349.2 miles and takes about 6h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Raymond P Shafer Highway, State Route 54. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174.6 miles from Erie, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 36m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (PA 5; PA 290 / West 12th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (Greengarden Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West Bayfront Parkway): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Erie, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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