Origin
Reading, PA
Evening in Reading on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reading, PA to Howard, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
141.9 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Howard, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 141.9-mile drive from Reading, PA, to Howard, PA, is estimated to take about 2 hours and 53 minutes. Primarily using the Keystone Shortway and Pottsville Pike, this route is best suited as a single-day trip, especially given its relatively short duration. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $24 for this journey. The drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, so plan for a more engaged driving experience. As both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, you'll be exploring familiar territory throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.9 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road segments, making it a 'turn-heavy local drive.' Only about 10% of this route involves highway travel, so much of your time will be spent on less direct roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a journey where you'll be navigating varied road types and speeds, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 60.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 13 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 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Turn right onto US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
136.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward Jacksonville, Howard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 163
Toward Jacksonville, Howard
6
136.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn right onto PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 60.3 mi | 1h 5m |
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Continental Boulevard | 3 mi | 3m |
| Route 61 South | 3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 60.3 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Howard, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
279 ft
·
8 sec
·
Penn Street
2
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 5th Street
3
Turn slight left onto PA 61
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 4th Street
10
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
17
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
18
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
25
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
29
Merge onto I 80
60 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 163
Toward Jacksonville, Howard
31
Turn right onto Walt Road
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Walt Road
32
Turn right onto PA 26
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto PA 26
2.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Walnut Street
34
Arrive at destination
PA 26
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under three hours, this 141.9-mile trip from Reading to Howard offers flexibility for departure times. You can easily complete this drive in one day, with only one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $24, and consider topping up before you leave Reading. Since the longest stretch without a break is 60.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, plan your single stop accordingly to rest and refuel if needed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.9 miles from Reading, PA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.3 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 31 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.9 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard, 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 141.9 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 Keystone Shortway for about 60.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.9 mi from Reading, PA · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.9 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.3 miles.
Arriving in Howard, PA
The final approach into Howard, 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 Howard, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.53 one way
$47.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.77 | $51.53 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.52 | $55.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.33 | $62.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
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
$24
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
| Efficient EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.42 | $5.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.87 | $9.08 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Howard, PA
Evening in Howard on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
East Franklin, PA
71 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
12 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
2h 53m 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 Reading, PA to Howard, PA covers 141.9 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pottsville Pike, Locust Gap Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.9 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 $23.53 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 53m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Reading, PA to Howard, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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