Origin
Montgomery, PA
Afternoon in Montgomery on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montgomery, PA to Reading, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
98.5 mi
158 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montgomery, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Montgomery, PA to Reading, PA covers 98.5 miles and takes about 2h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, State Route 54, Center Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.33 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.2 miles from Montgomery, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 98.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 8m drive with frequent turns across 98.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 40 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 11.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 54 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 98.5 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: near the start (PA 54 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 54 / Montgomery Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 54 / South Main Street
Turn right onto PA 54 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 54 / Montgomery Street
Turn left onto PA 54 / Montgomery Street
Navigation decision point
6
11.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
5
23.7 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
98.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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 Montgomery, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
23.7 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| 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 |
| I 180 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| PA 54 | 4.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 11.5 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montgomery, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on West Houston Avenue
37 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Houston Avenue
2
Turn right onto PA 54
420 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto PA 54
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Montgomery Street
4
Turn right onto PA 54; PA 405
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
5
Turn slight left onto PA 54
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
PA 54
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
7
Merge onto I 180
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 180
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
12
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
13
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
15
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
16
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
18
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
19
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
22
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
23
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
24
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
25
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
26
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
27
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
29
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
30
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
37
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
38
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
39
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
40
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.2 miles from Montgomery, PA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.5 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.2 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, PA
This is one driving day of about 98.5 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Montgomery, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 11.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.2 mi from Montgomery, PA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Montgomery, 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
$16.33 one way
$32.66 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.89 | $35.77 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.10 | $38.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.75 | $43.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.34 | $4.73 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.62 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.79 | $6.30 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Afternoon in Reading on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Tremont, PA
49 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
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 8m 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 Montgomery, PA to Reading, PA covers 98.5 miles and takes about 2h 8m 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 49.2 miles from Montgomery, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.33 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 98.5 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: near the start (PA 54 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (PA 54 / Montgomery Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Montgomery, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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