Reading, PA to Hudson, PA is 87.9 miles and takes about 1h 54m via I 81, Pottsville Pike, and Centre Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, specifically within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward journey. It's a highway-focused trip, so expect efficient travel times. With a duration under two hours and a low fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick day trip or an easy leg of a larger journey. Consider this for when you need to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 87.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 81. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving, including one segment of 40.7 miles on I 81 where you can maintain steady speed. While much of the trip is on the interstate, you will also navigate portions of Pottsville Pike and Centre Turnpike, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. Expect a relatively direct and efficient travel path for the majority of the 87.9 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 40.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Pottsville Pike. 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.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 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 41 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These 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
4
41 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
5
82 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward PA 309 south, PA 309 Business: Mountain Top, Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 309 south, PA 309 Business: Mountain...
4
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|Laird Street
Turn left onto Laird Street
Navigation decision point
4
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|Stark Street
Turn right onto Stark Street
Navigation decision point
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 Reading, PA to Hudson, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Wilkes-Barre along the way.
Wilkes-Barre
82 mi in|~1h 40m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
40.7 mi
47m
Pottsville Pike
14.4 mi
18m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Centre Avenue
3 mi
4m
Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
2.2 mi
4m
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 40.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Hudson, 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
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
16
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
18
Merge onto I 81
41 mi·47 min·I 81
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PA 309 south, PA 309 Business: Mountain Top, Wilkes-Barre
20
Continue on PA 309
0.1 mi·12 sec·PA 309
21
Turn straight onto PA 309 BUS
2.2 mi·4 min·Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
22
Continue on PA 309 BUS
0.6 mi·1 min·Spring Street
23
Continue on PA 309 BUS
464 ft·11 sec·Scott Street
24
Continue on PA 309 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·Scott Street
25
Continue on Scott Street
0.7 mi·2 min·Scott Street
26
Turn left onto Laird Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Laird Street
27
Continue on Mayock Street
0.7 mi·1 min·Mayock Street
28
Continue on South Oak Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·South Oak Street
29
Turn right onto Stark Street
94 ft·4 sec·Stark Street
30
Arrive at destination
Stark Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 54 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and be at your destination by lunchtime, or even leave in the afternoon. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $15, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 40.7 miles on I 81, so plan a quick break before or after that segment if needed. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be spontaneous with your departure time.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44 miles from Reading, PA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.7 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hudson, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 87.9 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Reading, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 40.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 44 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hudson, PA
The final approach into Hudson, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.15 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.96
$31.92
premium
$4.93
$17.05
$34.09
diesel
$5.61
$19.41
$38.81
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
$15
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.23
$4.22
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.69
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Saturday
Local time
8:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Hudson, PA
Morning
in Hudson on Saturday
Local time
8:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
34 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
1h 54m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Reading, PA to Hudson, PA covers 87.9 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44 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 $14.57 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 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 41 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Reading, PA to Hudson, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Wilkes-Barre along the way.
