Origin
Hickory, PA
Night in Hickory on Wednesday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hickory, PA to Reading, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 31m
Distance
274.4 mi
442 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 18m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 58m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 38m
3 PM
5h 42m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hickory, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
The drive from Hickory, PA to Reading, PA covers 274.4 miles and takes about 5h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, Dwight D Eisenhower Highway, US 222 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 212.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.49 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
137.2 miles from Hickory, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 31m highway drive covering 274.4 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 212.3 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 29 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 212.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47 miles in near I 70.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 274.4 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 47 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
47 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
260.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m 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
261.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
268.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hickory, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ephrata.
Patp: Harrisburg
47 mi in
|
~1h 14m
|
via I 70
Pittsburgh
47 mi in
|
~1h 14m
|
via I 70
Ephrata
260.2 mi in
|
~5h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 212.3 mi | 3h 52m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 29.7 mi | 41m |
| US 222 | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| US 222 BUS | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| PA 519 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Western Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Brownlee Road | 3.6 mi | 8m |
| Westland Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.3 mi, about 3h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hickory, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 50
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto PA 519
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Westland Road
3
Continue on PA 519
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Western Avenue
4
Turn left onto PA 519
338 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Pike Street
5
Turn right onto PA 519
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Main Street
6
Continue on PA 519
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Hill Church Houston Road
7
Turn right onto PA 519
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
PA 519
8
Turn slight right onto PA 519
137 ft
·
2 sec
·
PA 519
9
Enter roundabout onto PA 519
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
PA 519
10
Continue on PA 519
439 ft
·
8 sec
·
PA 519
11
Enter roundabout onto Brownlee Road
187 ft
·
4 sec
·
Brownlee Road
12
Continue on Brownlee Road
3.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Brownlee Road
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
14
Merge onto I 70
30 mi
·
41 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 70
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70
Exit 58
Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
17
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
212 mi
·
3 hr 52 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
22
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 222
23
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 222
24
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.
25
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
27
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
29
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 137.2 miles from Hickory, PA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.3 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 60 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 54m 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 30m
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 Hickory, 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 Hickory, PA
This is one driving day of about 274.4 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Hickory, 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 212.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.2 mi from Hickory, PA · 2h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.2 miles from Hickory, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.3 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.
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
$45.49 one way
$90.98 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $49.82 | $99.65 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.22 | $106.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.58 | $121.17 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.60
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(212.3 mi)
$27.60
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
$45
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.81 | $13.17 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.01 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.42 | $17.56 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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
Night in Reading on Wednesday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Hancock, MD
137 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
6 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
5h 31m 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 Hickory, PA to Reading, PA covers 274.4 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, Dwight D Eisenhower 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 137.2 miles from Hickory, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.49 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 20 significant decision points across 274.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 47 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.5 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hickory, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ephrata.
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