Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
35.1 mi
56 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Allentown, PA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion between Reading and Allentown, you can expect a manageable 35.1-mile journey that typically takes about 53 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will navigate primarily via US 222, Allentown Pike, and the Trexlertown Bypass, keeping your fuel costs to a modest $6. Both cities are located in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, making this a familiar, localized transit. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the brevity of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 35.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (25%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as only 25% of this route consists of highway travel. You will find that the road demands your attention, particularly as you navigate the transition between local roads and the bypass. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 8.7-mile segment on US 222, which offers a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns found elsewhere. Overall, the experience is defined by shifting road types that require you to stay alert behind the wheel. It is a straightforward trip, but one that rewards drivers who prefer navigating local infrastructure over long, straight highway hauls.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 53m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9.3 miles (US 222 / Allentown Pike): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Allentown Pike
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Allentown Pike
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Kutztown Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto US 222 / Hamilton Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 222 | 8.7 mi | 11m |
| Allentown Pike | 6 mi | 10m |
| Trexlertown Bypass | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| North 5th Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| Kutztown Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Hamilton Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Hamilton Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Hamilton Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Allentown, PA.
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
Continue on US 222 BUS
Merge onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Continue on US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Turn straight onto US 222
Continue on PA 222
Continue on PA 222
Turn left onto North 15th Street
Turn right onto Tilghman Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.5 mi from Reading, PA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.5 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Allentown, PA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.82 one way
$11.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $6.37 | $12.75 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.81 | $13.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.75 | $15.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.69 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Reading on Friday
Local time
7:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Evening in Allentown on Friday
Local time
7:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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