Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
126.2 mi
203 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lackawaxen, PA
Haneul Trac
Embarking on a journey from Reading, PA, to Lackawaxen, PA, covers 126.2 miles and is estimated to take around 3 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. This trip is well-suited for a single day, with a projected fuel cost of approximately $21. The route primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-84, with a portion on the Keystone Shortway, making for a mixed driving experience. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region throughout this drive, keeping the scenery consistent. This is a straightforward trip that doesn't require extensive planning, allowing for flexibility.
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
63.1 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 126.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
This drive offers a varied experience, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced driving, including a significant 29.4-mile segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of efficient highway travel and potentially some more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. Expect to transition between different types of roadways as you navigate the 126.2 miles.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.2 miles in near US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 126.2 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 28.2 miles (US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22 / Lehigh Valley Thruway toward US 22 East: Pennsylvania Turnpike, LVI Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward PATP, I 476: Philadelphia, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 903: Jim Thorpe, Lake Harmony
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 903 North: Lake Harmony
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reading, PA and Lackawaxen, PA, road signs point toward Lvi Airport, Patp, Scranton, Lake Harmony, 423: Tobyhanna and Dingmans Ferry.
Lvi Airport
Patp
Scranton
Lake Harmony
423: Tobyhanna
Dingmans Ferry
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 29.4 mi | 32m |
| I 84 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Keystone Shortway | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 222 | 8.7 mi | 11m |
| PA 903 | 7.1 mi | 10m |
| I 380 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Allentown Pike | 6 mi | 10m |
| Well Road | 5.5 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Lackawaxen, PA.
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
Continue on US 222 BUS
Merge onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Continue on US 222
Continue on US 222
Enter roundabout onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
Enter roundabout onto Schantz Road
Continue on Schantz Road
Turn left onto PA 100
Continue on PA 100
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 22
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto PA 903
At end of road, turn left onto PA 115
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 423
At end of road, turn left onto PA 423
Turn right onto PA 423
Continue on PA 423
Turn straight onto PA 191
Continue on PA 191; PA 507
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 84
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 739
Turn right onto PA 434
Turn straight onto PA 590
Turn slight right
Continue on Scenic Drive
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim for an early start to make the most of your time, especially if you plan to stop. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $21, this trip is budget-friendly. Pay attention to road signs as you transition between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I-84, and other connecting roads. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have your toll pass ready for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as this is where you'll experience the longest uninterrupted driving segment.
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.
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 28 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lackawaxen, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 126.2 miles and 3h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.1 mi from Reading, PA · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 63.1 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Lackawaxen, 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 Lackawaxen, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.92 one way
$41.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $22.91 | $45.83 |
| premium | $4.93 | $24.47 | $48.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.86 | $55.73 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.91
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
$21
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.25 | $6.06 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.04 | $5.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Reading on Thursday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Lackawaxen on Thursday
Local time
9:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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
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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