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Trip from Forest Hills, PA to Reading, PA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

247.2 mi

398 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 35m ★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m

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 Forest Hills, PA, PA

Forest Hills, PA

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

The drive from Forest Hills, PA to Reading, PA covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lincoln Highway, US 222 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 219.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.98 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

123.6 miles from Forest Hills, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 247.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 247.2 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 219.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 219.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Lincoln Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 247.2 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 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7
12.8 mi into trip | ~24m 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
233 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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
6
233.9 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
241.6 mi into trip | ~4h 38m 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...
6
247 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in | South 6th Street

Turn left onto South 6th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

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

Patp

12.4 mi in | ~24m

Ephrata

233 mi in | ~4h 25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 219.9 mi 4h
Lincoln Highway 11.1 mi 21m
US 222 7.4 mi 9m
US 222 BUS 4.9 mi 8m
Ardmore Boulevard 1.2 mi 2m
Colonel Howard Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
South 5th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Greensburg Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 219.9 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 30

18 ft · 9 sec · Ardmore Boulevard
2

Continue on US 30

1.2 mi · 2 min · Ardmore Boulevard
3

Continue on US 30

2.6 mi · 4 min · Lincoln Highway
4

Continue on US 30

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Greensburg Avenue
5

Continue on US 30

8.4 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Highway
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward PATP, I 76
7

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · this road
Toward PATP, I 76
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 76; PATP

220 mi · 4 hr · Pennsylvania Turnpike
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
12

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
14

Merge onto US 222

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 222
15

Continue on US 222

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 222
16

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.
17

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
19

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
21

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 123.6 miles from Forest Hills, PA, or about 2h 26m 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 54 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 123.6 miles or 2h 26m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 52m

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 Forest Hills, 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 Forest Hills, PA

This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Forest Hills, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 123.6 mi from Forest Hills, PA · 2h 26m into the drive

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

124 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

Johnstown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.6 miles from Forest Hills, 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.

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.

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 176.5
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 70.6
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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 220.6
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...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour Free near mile 35.3
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 88.2
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.98 one way

$81.97 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $44.89 $89.77
premium $4.93 $47.94 $95.88
diesel $5.61 $54.58 $109.16

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

$41

Tolls

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.2 0 $25.96 $11.87
Efficient EV 61.8 0 $21.63 $9.89
EV Truck/SUV 98.9 1 $34.61 $15.82

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% 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 13, 2026

Origin

Forest Hills, PA

Late night in Forest Hills on Friday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Late night in Reading on Friday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

48°F

Hancock, MD

124 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

19 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

4h 48m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Forest Hills, PA to Reading, PA covers 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Lincoln Highway, US 222. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.6 miles from Forest Hills, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 247.2 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 12.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Forest Hills, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Ephrata.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

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Return Trip

Reading, PA to Forest Hills, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

248 mi 4h 48m

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