This 84.7-mile drive from Mount Pocono, PA, to Reading, PA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical choice for a regional excursion. The route primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and PA 903, offering a mixed driving experience. As both your starting and ending points are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you'll be exploring familiar territory. This journey is well-suited for a leisurely day out, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.4 miles from Mount Pocono, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 84.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that's about 58% highway, meaning you'll encounter a good balance of faster-paced travel and more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 29.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, providing a solid period of consistent driving. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between highway speeds and potentially slower, more winding sections as you navigate through PA 903 and other connecting roads. This varied terrain keeps the driving experience engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 29.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 24 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
7
23.9 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the ramp toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
6
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Pocono, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Blakeslee, Patp South and Harrisburg.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
14
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
15
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
19
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
20
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
21
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
24
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
25
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
26
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
27
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
28
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
29
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
30
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
32
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
33
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Allentown Pike
34
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi·8 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
35
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·South 5th Street
36
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
38
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart anytime that suits your schedule, and there's no need to break it into multiple days. With no designated stops, you can easily add brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $14 cost is based on current prices and may vary. A practical tip for this route: consider checking local traffic conditions before heading out, especially if you plan to drive during peak commuter hours, as this can impact your arrival time on the non-highway portions.
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 42.4 miles from Mount Pocono, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.4 miles or 55m 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 35m
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 Mount Pocono, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Pocono, PA
This is one driving day of about 84.7 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Mount Pocono, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 29.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.4 mi from Mount Pocono, PA
· 55m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 81.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.04 one way
$28.08 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.38
$30.76
premium
$4.93
$16.43
$32.85
diesel
$5.61
$18.70
$37.40
Estimated Tolls: $3.90
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(29.4 mi)$3.82
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$14
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.4
0
$8.89
$4.07
Efficient EV
21.2
0
$7.41
$3.39
EV Truck/SUV
33.9
0
$11.86
$5.42
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Mount Pocono, PA
Night
in Mount Pocono on Friday
Local time
11:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Night
in Reading on Friday
Local time
11:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 10 to 15 mph62% chanceLive 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
25 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
1h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mount Pocono, PA to Reading, PA covers 84.7 miles and takes about 1h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Keystone Shortway, PA 903. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.4 miles from Mount Pocono, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.04 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.7 miles you will encounter 24 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 23.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 53.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mount Pocono, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Blakeslee, Patp South and Harrisburg.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
