Origin
Howard, PA
Evening in Howard on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Howard, PA to Reading, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
138.8 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 138.8-mile drive from Howard to Reading, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Keystone Shortway and State Route 54, with some time on Center Avenue. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $23. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Northeast region, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel. Expect a journey with frequent turns rather than a continuous highway experience.
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
69.4 miles from Howard, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only an 8% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on state and local roads, which means a more engaged driving experience with frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before returning to more varied road conditions. This drive will likely feel more like exploring local landscapes than a fast-paced interstate transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 41 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 45.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in near PA 64 / North Water Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles (PA 64 / North Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
12.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
PA 64 / North Water Street
Turn right onto PA 64 / North Water Street
Navigation decision point
5
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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
5
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
138.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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.
On the drive from Howard, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
64 mi in
|
~1h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 45.5 mi | 49m |
| 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 |
| Eagle Valley Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| North Eagle Valley Road | 5.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 45.5 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Howard, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 26
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
2
Turn right onto PA 150
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Eagle Valley Road
3
Continue on PA 150
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on PA 150
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Eagle Valley Road
5
Turn right onto PA 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Water Street
6
Continue on PA 64
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Nittany Valley Drive
7
Turn left onto PA 477
371 ft
·
9 sec
·
Long Run Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
9
Continue on US 220
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Frank D O'Reilly Jr Highway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
46 mi
·
49 min
·
Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
13
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
14
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
16
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
17
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
19
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
20
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
21
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
23
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
24
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
25
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
26
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
27
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
28
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
30
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
31
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
37
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
38
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
39
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
41
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
With a duration of under three hours, this trip offers flexibility; you can leave whenever it suits your schedule. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost of $23 suggests you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to top off before setting out. Pay attention to the numerous turns, especially on State Route 54, as these will be a significant part of your driving experience on this 138.8-mile journey.
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 69.4 miles from Howard, PA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.5 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 24m 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 21m
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 Howard, 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 Howard, PA
This is one driving day of about 138.8 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Howard, 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 45.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Howard, PA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Howard, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$23.01 one way
$46.02 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.20 | $50.41 |
| premium | $4.93 | $26.92 | $53.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.43 | $8.88 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Evening in Reading on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
12 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 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Howard, PA to Reading, PA covers 138.8 miles and takes about 2h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, State Route 54, Center Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.4 miles from Howard, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.01 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles (PA 64 / North Water Street): Navigation decision point; at 64 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.2 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Howard, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Reading, PA
More from Howard, PA
More trips to Reading, PA
Explore more options from Howard, PA or browse trips ending in Reading, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for Howard, PA or Reading, PA on MapSof.net.