Origin
Penn Hills, PA
Night in Penn Hills on Tuesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
255.3 mi
411 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penn Hills, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 255.3-mile drive from Penn Hills, PA, to Reading, PA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 53 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $42. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making it a largely uninterrupted drive. This route stays within the Northeast region and within the state of Pennsylvania, offering a direct path without significant transitions in scenery or environment. Plan for a smooth, efficient trip where the main consideration is time and fuel.
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
127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roads. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be your main companion for a significant stretch, covering 230.8 miles without interruption. This means you'll encounter fast-paced travel and minimal distractions for most of the journey. While the primary roads include US 222 and US 222 BUS, these are integrated into the overall highway profile, suggesting they facilitate quick passage rather than slower, meandering travel. The character is one of consistent speed and directness.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 230.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Verona Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 255.3 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Verona Road
Turn right onto Verona Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 85
Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
8
10.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
241.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m 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
7
249.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m 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.
On the drive from Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Ephrata along the way.
Ephrata
241.2 mi in
|
~4h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 230.8 mi | 4h 12m |
| US 222 | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| US 222 BUS | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Verona Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Beulah Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Coal Hollow Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Colonel Howard Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 230.8 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penn Hills, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Sylvan Avenue
134 ft
·
11 sec
·
Sylvan Avenue
2
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
519 ft
·
25 sec
·
Mount Avenue
3
Turn right onto Verona Road
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Verona Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto PA 130
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Coal Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on PA 130
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Old Coal Hollow Road
6
Continue on PA 130
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Beulah Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 376; US 22
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 85
Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
this road
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 76; PATP
231 mi
·
4 hr 12 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
17
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 222
18
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 222
19
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.
20
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
22
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 53-minute duration, setting out in the morning from Penn Hills is your best bet to arrive in Reading with ample daylight. With the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike being 230.8 miles, plan your fuel stop strategically before you get deep into that segment. While this route is designed for a single day, its highway-focused nature means you can be flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The $42 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting this efficient trip.
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 127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.8 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 56m
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 Penn Hills, 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 Penn Hills, PA
This is one driving day of about 255.3 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Penn Hills, 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 230.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.7 mi from Penn Hills, PA · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.7 miles from Penn Hills, 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 230.8 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
$42.33 one way
$84.65 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $46.36 | $92.71 |
| premium | $4.93 | $49.51 | $99.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.37 | $112.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $30.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(230.8 mi)
$30.01
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
$42
Tolls
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.81 | $12.25 |
| Efficient EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.34 | $10.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.1 | 1 | $35.74 | $16.34 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Tuesday
Local time
11:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Cuba, NY
128 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m 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 Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA covers 255.3 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222, US 222 BUS. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.33 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 18 significant decision points across 255.3 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Ephrata along the way.
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