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Trip from North Centre, 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

1h 58m

Distance

89.4 mi

144 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown North Centre, PA, PA

North Centre, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This drive from North Centre, PA to Reading, PA covers 89.4 miles and is estimated to take just under 2 hours. It's a straightforward, single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $15, making it an economical choice for a short journey. You'll primarily be on I 81 and the Keystone Shortway, with a portion on Center Avenue. This route keeps you within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a convenient way to travel between these two locations without significant detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

44.7 miles from North Centre, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 89.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive offers a mixed driving experience, with 34% of it on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 20.9 miles on I 81, providing a good opportunity for steady progress. While the majority of the route involves highway driving, expect some transitions as you navigate through different sections. This blend means you'll experience periods of efficient travel interspersed with more local road conditions, keeping the drive engaging rather than monotonous.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.9 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 5.2 miles in near US 11 / Columbia Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 5.2 miles (US 11 / Columbia Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
5.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 11 / Columbia Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto US 11 / Columbia Boulevard

Navigation decision point

6
5.7 mi into trip | ~10m in | Market Street

Turn left onto Market Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
20.9 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
8
47.4 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | PA 61 / Skyline Drive

Turn uturn onto PA 61 / Skyline Drive

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
89.2 mi into trip | ~1h 57m 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 North Centre, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Nescopeck along the way.

Nescopeck

20.9 mi in | ~29m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 20.9 mi 23m
Keystone Shortway 13.5 mi 15m
Center Avenue 10.6 mi 12m
Pottsville Pike 10.2 mi 12m
State Route 93 6.9 mi 12m
Skyline Drive 4.4 mi 5m
Centre Street 4.2 mi 5m
Route 61 South 3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 20.9 mi, about 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Centre, PA and Reading, PA.

1

Start on PA 93

3.2 mi · 5 min · State Route 93
2

Turn right onto Golf Course Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Golf Course Road
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 11

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Columbia Boulevard
4

Turn left onto Market Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Market Street
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto PA 339

0.9 mi · 1 min · West 3rd Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
7

Merge onto I 80

14 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward PA 93: Conyngham, Nescopeck
9

Keep slight right at fork

444 ft · 11 sec
10

Turn straight onto PA 93

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Berwick Hazleton Highway
11

Continue on PA 93

3.6 mi · 6 min · State Route 93
12

Turn right onto Tomhicken Road

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Tomhicken Road
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
14

Merge onto I 81

21 mi · 23 min · I 81
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 124B Toward PA 61 North: Frackville
16

Turn straight onto PA 61

500 ft · 13 sec · Skyline Drive
17

Turn uturn onto PA 61

4.3 mi · 5 min · Skyline Drive
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on PA 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
19

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
20

Continue on PA 61

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
21

Continue on PA 61

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
22

Continue on PA 61

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
23

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Continue on PA 61

4.2 mi · 5 min · Centre Street
25

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 17 sec · South 4th Street
26

Continue on PA 61

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Continue on PA 61

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on PA 61

3.2 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30

Continue on PA 61

4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
31

Continue on PA 61

2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32

Continue on PA 61

0.8 mi · 1 min · North 4th Street
33

Turn left onto US 422 Business

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Franklin Street
34

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
35

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
36

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 58 minutes, this route is best tackled in one go. Aim for an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Reading. With only 89.4 miles, you have plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed, though none are officially recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is 20.9 miles on I 81, and it's always wise to be prepared, especially when covering distances that could approach your fuel budget of $15.

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 44.7 miles from North Centre, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.9 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 20 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.7 miles or 1h 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 39m

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 North Centre, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from North Centre, PA

This is one driving day of about 89.4 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from North Centre, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 20.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 44.7 mi from North Centre, PA · 1h into the drive

city in central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pottsville, PA

45 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.

Popular next leg

Pottsville, PA to Reading, PA

34.7 mi · 45m

Pacing Suggestions

West Hazleton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shenandoah, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.7 miles from North Centre, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.82 one way

$29.64 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $16.23 $32.47
premium $4.93 $17.34 $34.68
diesel $5.61 $19.74 $39.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.8 0 $9.39 $4.29
Efficient EV 22.4 0 $7.82 $3.58
EV Truck/SUV 35.8 0 $12.52 $5.72

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

North Centre, PA

Morning in North Centre on Friday

Local time

7:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Friday

Local time

7:47 AM

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

13 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 58m 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 North Centre, PA to Reading, PA covers 89.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, Center Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 44.7 miles from North Centre, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.82 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 89.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 5.2 miles (US 11 / Columbia Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (Market Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from North Centre, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Nescopeck along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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