Origin
Reading, PA
Late night in Reading on Thursday
Local time
1:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reading, PA to Lemont, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
153.5 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lemont, PA
Haneul Trac
Trip Overview
This 153.5-mile journey from Reading, PA to Lemont, PA will take approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway, Pottsville Pike, and Jacksonville Road. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The drive offers a local feel, so expect a more engaged driving experience.
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
76.8 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive with only a 9% highway share. While most of your time will be spent on local roads, you will encounter a longest stretch of 63.1 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a brief period of faster travel. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; instead, it's characterized by frequent changes in direction and road type, requiring your attention throughout. The transition between these varying road conditions is a key aspect of the driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 39 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 63.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 153.5 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 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
139 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
5
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
151 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward US 322 East: State College, Lewistown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 322 East: State College, Lewistown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 63.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| Jacksonville Road | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Lemont, 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
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
31
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 322 East: State College, Lewistown
33
Merge onto US 322
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Mount Nittany Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward PA 26: State College
35
Turn right onto PA 26
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East College Avenue
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto Elmwood Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Elmwood Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn left onto Pike Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Pike Street
38
Turn right onto Mount Nittany Road
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
Mount Nittany Road
39
Arrive at destination
Mount Nittany Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach Lemont, PA, with flexibility for an unplanned stop. The fuel cost is a reasonable $25, so ensure your tank is full before departing Reading, PA. With only one recommended stop and a turn-heavy profile, plan your breaks strategically rather than relying on frequent services. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Pottsville Pike and Jacksonville Road as you make your way north, as these can signal changes in the local driving environment.
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 76.8 miles from Reading, PA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lemont, 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 153.5 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 63.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.8 mi from Reading, PA · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.8 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 63.1 miles.
Arriving in Lemont, PA
The final approach into Lemont, 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 Lemont, 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
$25.45 one way
$50.90 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $27.87 | $55.74 |
| premium | $4.93 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.89 | $67.78 |
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.12 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.43 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.49 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Lemont, PA
Late night in Lemont on Thursday
Local time
1:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m 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 Lemont, PA covers 153.5 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pottsville Pike, Jacksonville Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.8 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 $25.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 153.5 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 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 139 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Reading, PA to Lemont, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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