Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
49.3 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ashland, PA
Michael Taccetta
The drive from Reading, PA to Ashland, PA covers 49.3 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike, Joseph H. Long Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.4 miles on Pottsville Pike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 49.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (28%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 1h 6m drive with frequent turns across 49.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 1h 6m drive. You will face about 5 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): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (PA 61 / Centre Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 42 miles (PA 61 / West Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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
Navigation decision point
Turn slight left onto PA 61 / Centre Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto PA 61 / West Oak Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto PA 61 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto PA 54; PA 61 / Centre Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Joseph H. Long Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| Fountain Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Route 61 South | 3 mi | 3m |
| Centre Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| South Claude A. Lord Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Oak Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Ashland, PA.
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
Turn slight left onto PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Turn left onto PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Turn right onto PA 61
Turn slight right onto PA 61
Turn left onto PA 54; PA 61
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.6 mi from Reading, PA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Ashland, 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.
Regular Gas
$8.17 one way
$16.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.95 | $17.90 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.56 | $19.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Reading on Friday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Ashland on Friday
Local time
12:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
60°F
New Philadelphia, PA
25 mi in
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.
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