Origin
Reading, PA
Late night in Reading on Thursday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reading, PA to Hickory, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 30m
Distance
274.6 mi
442 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 17m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hickory, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
The drive from Reading, PA to Hickory, PA covers 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 70, US 222 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 212.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
137.3 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 30m highway drive covering 274.6 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 212.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
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 212.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 274.6 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
13.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP
5
14.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7
226.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
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 I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
6
227.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, W...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reading, PA and Hickory, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton, Washington, Columbus and Dunningsville.
Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg
226.9 mi in
|
~4h 14m
|
via I 70
Wheeling
226.9 mi in
|
~4h 14m
|
via I 70
New Stanton
226.9 mi in
|
~4h 14m
|
via I 70
Washington
227.3 mi in
|
~4h 15m
|
via I 70
Columbus
227.3 mi in
|
~4h 15m
|
via I 70
Dunningsville
257.3 mi in
|
~4h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 212.1 mi | 3h 51m |
| I 70 | 30.4 mi | 42m |
| US 222 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| PA 519 | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Western Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Brownlee Road | 3.5 mi | 8m |
| Westland Road | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Penn Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.1 mi, about 3h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Hickory, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Penn Street
2
Continue on US 422 Business Alternate
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Penn Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
4
Merge onto US 222
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
US 222
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 76; PATP
212 mi
·
3 hr 51 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
30 mi
·
41 min
·
I 70
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Dunningsville
13
Turn slight right onto Brownlee Road
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Brownlee Road
14
Enter roundabout onto PA 519
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
PA 519
15
Continue on PA 519
477 ft
·
9 sec
·
PA 519
16
Enter roundabout onto PA 519
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
PA 519
17
Continue on PA 519
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 519
18
Turn left onto PA 519
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Hill Church Houston Road
19
Continue on PA 519
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Main Street
20
Turn left onto PA 519
255 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Pike Street
21
Turn right onto PA 519
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Western Avenue
22
Continue on PA 519
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Westland Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto PA 50
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
PA 50
Trip Plan
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 137.3 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.1 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hickory, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Reading, 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 Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Reading, 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 212.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.3 mi from Reading, PA · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Reading, 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 212.1 miles.
Arriving in Hickory, PA
The final approach into Hickory, 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 Hickory, 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
$45.53 one way
$91.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $49.86 | $99.72 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.26 | $106.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.63 | $121.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.57
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(212.1 mi)
$27.57
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
$46
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.03 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.44 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Hickory, PA
Late night in Hickory on Thursday
Local time
12:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Hancock, MD
137 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
6 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
5h 30m 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 Reading, PA to Hickory, PA covers 274.6 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, I 70, US 222. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.3 miles from Reading, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.53 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 15 significant decision points across 274.6 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Reading, PA and Hickory, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton, Washington, Columbus and Dunningsville.
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