Origin
Reading, PA
Evening in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reading, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
53.8 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jim Thorpe, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward regional getaway, the 53.8-mile drive from Reading to Jim Thorpe is an ideal one-day excursion. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 21 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly accessible trek within Northeast Pennsylvania. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, this trip is as budget-friendly as it is convenient. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. Whether you are heading out for a quick change of scenery or a brief local escape, this route offers a manageable travel time that leaves you plenty of energy to explore upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.9 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that favors backroads over high-speed interstates. With only 3% of your journey spent on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local routes like Pottsville Pike, Summer Valley Road, and Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, covering 14.4 miles along Pottsville Pike before the character of the road shifts. Expect a driving experience that requires more attention than a standard highway cruise, as the winding local paths demand steady focus. It is a practical, hands-on route that keeps you engaged with the surrounding landscape throughout the entire trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pottsville Pike is the longest continuous segment at about 14.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 28.2 miles (PA 443 / East Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35 miles (PA 309; PA 443 / West Penn Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
4
28.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
PA 443 / East Railroad Avenue
Turn left onto PA 443 / East Railroad Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
35 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
PA 309; PA 443 / West Penn Pike
Turn right onto PA 309; PA 443 / West Penn Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
US 209 / East Bridge Street
Turn left onto US 209 / East Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Turn right onto US 209 / Lehigh Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| Summer Valley Road | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Clamtown Road | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| Penn Drive | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| Centre Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| Mauch Chunk Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Centre Turnpike | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pottsville Pike
— 14.4 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Jim Thorpe, 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 none 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
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Centre Turnpike
12
Turn right onto PA 895
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Summer Valley Road
13
Continue on PA 443; PA 895
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Hughes Street
14
Turn left onto PA 443
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Railroad Avenue
15
Continue on PA 443
5.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Clamtown Road
16
Turn right onto PA 309; PA 443
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Penn Pike
Use the left lane.
17
Turn slight left onto PA 443
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Penn Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on PA 443
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 209
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Bridge Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 209
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Bankway Street
21
Continue on US 209
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Sargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard
Toward US 209 South
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 209
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
23
Continue on US 209
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Mauch Chunk Street
24
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Susquehanna Street
25
Turn right onto US 209
123 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
26
Continue on US 209
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Lehigh Street
27
Turn right onto PA 903
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Street
28
Turn left onto West 6th Street
135 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 6th Street
29
Arrive at destination
West 6th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 53.8-mile jaunt, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you maximize your day. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert and keep your focus on the road rather than relying on autopilot. You will not need to plan for formal rest stops given the 1 hour and 21 minute duration, but keep your $9 fuel budget in mind if you prefer to fill up before leaving Reading. Because you are primarily navigating local roads, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the transitions between Pottsville Pike and the subsequent turns onto Summer Valley Road. Embrace the freedom of a short drive by leaving room in your schedule for spontaneous pauses along the way.
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 26.9 miles from Reading, PA, or about 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.4 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 53.8 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.9 miles or 37m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jim Thorpe, 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 53.8 miles and 1h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Reading, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pottsville Pike for about 14.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.9 mi from Reading, PA · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 53.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.9 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jim Thorpe, PA
The final approach into Jim Thorpe, 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 Jim Thorpe, 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
$8.90 one way
$17.80 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $9.74 | $19.48 |
| premium | $4.92 | $10.43 | $20.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Centre Turnpike
(1.7 mi)
$0.12
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
$9
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.71 | $2.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Jim Thorpe, PA
Evening in Jim Thorpe on Sunday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
24 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 21m 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 Jim Thorpe, PA covers 53.8 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pottsville Pike, Blakeslee Boulevard Drive West, Summer Valley Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.9 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 $8.90 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.8 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.2 miles (PA 443 / East Railroad Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35 miles (PA 309; PA 443 / West Penn Pike): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Reading, PA to Jim Thorpe, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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