Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Reading, PA to Locust, PA

Drive Time

4h 36m

Distance

227.9 mi

367 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 23m ★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Locust, PA, PA

Locust, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

The drive from Reading, PA to Locust, PA covers 227.9 miles and takes about 4h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Keystone Shortway, Pottsville Pike, Locust Gap Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.71 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

114 miles from Reading, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 36m drive with frequent turns across 227.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 52 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 122.8 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 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 227.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 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 198.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These 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.
5
198.7 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in

Take the exit toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
5
199.2 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

5
221.2 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in | Cloe Rossiter Road

Turn sharp left onto Cloe Rossiter Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Reading, PA to Locust, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Penfield

198.7 mi in | ~3h 48m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 122.8 mi 2h 12m
Pottsville Pike 14.4 mi 18m
Locust Gap Highway 11.5 mi 13m
East Main Street 10.7 mi 12m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
South Market Street 9.7 mi 11m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway 3.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 122.8 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Locust, PA.

1

Start on Penn Street

279 ft · 9 sec · Penn Street
2

Turn right onto North 5th Street

0.5 mi · 56 sec · North 5th Street
3

Turn slight left onto Centre Avenue

3.0 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
4

Continue on Pottsville Pike

4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
5

Continue on South Centre Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Centre Avenue
6

Continue on Pottsville Pike

3.2 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
7

Continue on Shoemaker Avenue

0.6 mi · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
8

Continue on Pottsville Pike

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Pike
9

Continue on South 4th Street

0.3 mi · 19 sec · South 4th Street
10

Continue on Pottsville Pike

4.2 mi · 5 min · Pottsville Pike
11

Continue on Centre Turnpike

11 mi · 12 min · Centre Turnpike
12

Continue on Route 61 South

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
13

Continue on Pottsville Boulevard

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
14

Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard

0.2 mi · 21 sec · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15

Turn left onto Mauch Chunk Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Mauch Chunk Street
16

At the end of the road, turn right onto South Centre Street

0.4 mi · 39 sec · South Centre Street
17

Turn left onto West Market Street

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Market Street
18

Continue on Pottsville Minersville Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
19

At the end of the road, turn left onto East Sunbury Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Sunbury Street
20

Continue on Sunbury Road

9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
21

Continue on Fairgrounds Road

2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
22

Continue on Locust Gap Highway

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Locust Gap Highway
23

Continue on Locust Gap Highway

11 mi · 13 min · Locust Gap Highway
24

Continue on South Market Street

9.7 mi · 11 min · South Market Street
25

Turn right onto Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
26

Continue on Factory Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Factory Street
27

Continue on Continental Boulevard

3.0 mi · 3 min · Continental Boulevard
28

Take the exit slight right

0.4 mi · 52 sec
29

Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

123 mi · 2 hr 12 min · Keystone Shortway
30

Take the exit slight right toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield

0.4 mi · 53 sec · PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
31

Turn left onto Bee Line Highway

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Bee Line Highway
32

Turn left

52 ft · 6 sec
33

Turn right

59 ft · 6 sec
34

Turn right

52 ft · 6 sec
35

Turn right onto Bee Line Highway

1.5 mi · 2 min · Bee Line Highway
36

Continue on East DuBois Avenue

1.4 mi · 2 min · East DuBois Avenue
37

Turn left onto Liberty Boulevard

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Liberty Boulevard
38

Continue on North Brady Street

1.9 mi · 2 min · North Brady Street
39

Continue on Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
40

Turn right onto Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway

2.9 mi · 3 min · Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
41

Continue on Sykes Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Sykes Street
42

Turn right onto East Main Street

11 mi · 12 min · East Main Street
43

Turn left onto Bells Mills Cloe Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Bells Mills Cloe Road
44

Turn straight

0.5 mi · 55 sec
45

Turn sharp left onto Cloe Rossiter Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Cloe Rossiter Road
46

Continue on Juneau Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Juneau Road
47

Continue on Locust Lane

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Locust Lane
48

Continue on Locust Lane

2.1 mi · 5 min · Locust Lane
49

At the end of the road, turn right onto Locust Lane

292 ft · 13 sec · Locust Lane
50

Continue on Locust Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · Locust Lane
51

Turn left onto Rishell Road

338 ft · 15 sec · Rishell Road
52

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 114 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 114 miles or 2h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Locust, 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 227.9 miles and 4h 36m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 122.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 114 mi from Reading, PA · 2h 17m into the drive

Downtown Union, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Union, NY

114 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

Syracuse, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corning, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.8 miles.

Arriving in Locust, PA

The final approach into Locust, 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 Locust, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 31.4
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.71 one way

$75.42 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $41.26 $82.53
premium $4.92 $44.16 $88.32
diesel $5.64 $50.63 $101.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Exxon - Tesla Supercharger

Milton, PA

Tesla

16 DCFC

URBN Flavourhaus Lamar - Tesla Supercharger

Mill Hall, PA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Reading, PA Rechargery Relay @ Wawa - N 11th St.

Reading, PA

IONNA

10 DCFC

Burger King - Tesla Supercharger

Clearfield, PA

Tesla

10 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Reading, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Hamburg, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Weis Markets - Tesla Supercharger

Bellefonte, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Sheetz, Inc. - Tesla Supercharger

Falls Creek, PA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 7 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Blink Network: 1 EVGATEWAY: 1 IONNA: 1 EV Connect: 1 eVgo Network: 1 FCN: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.4 0 $23.93 $10.94
Efficient EV 57 0 $19.94 $9.12
EV Truck/SUV 91.2 1 $31.91 $14.59

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Monday

Local time

8:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Locust, PA

Morning in Locust on Monday

Local time

8:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

52°F

Union, NY

114 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

25 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

4h 36m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Locust, PA covers 227.9 miles and takes about 4h 36m 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 114 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 $37.71 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 227.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 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 198.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Reading, PA to Locust, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Locust, PA

Haverford, PA 289.4 mi · 5h 39m Philadelphia, PA 270.2 mi · 4h 58m Pittsburgh, PA 78 mi · 1h 31m

More from Reading, PA

Erie, PA 353.5 mi · 5h 44m Spring, PA 328.5 mi · 6h 16m Farrell, PA 299.5 mi · 5h 40m Beaver Falls, PA 295.1 mi · 5h 34m Mechanicsburg, PA 289.6 mi · 5h 40m Beaver, PA 287.2 mi · 5h 27m

More trips to Locust, PA

Bristol, PA 306.6 mi Philadelphia, PA 299 mi Upper Darby, PA 297.6 mi Bethlehem, PA 242.8 mi Scranton, PA 222.6 mi Pittsburgh, PA 81.3 mi

Explore more options from Reading, PA or browse trips ending in Locust, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.

Explore maps for Reading, PA or Locust, PA on MapSof.net.