This straightforward 48.7-mile drive from Reading, PA to Palmdale, PA is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 7 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. It's a highway-focused route with 61% of the journey on major roads, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. With an estimated fuel cost of just $8, this is an economical option for a quick getaway. You'll remain within the Northeast region throughout this journey. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, no overnight stays are necessary for this trip.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 48.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 48.7-mile trip, with 61% of the drive utilizing major arteries like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.8 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a good opportunity for consistent speed. While primarily highway, the route transitions between these faster roads and other main routes, providing a varied but generally efficient driving experience. This drive is designed for covering ground efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 19.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
13.7 mi into trip|~20m in|Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP
5
14.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
7
34.7 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward PA 72: Lebanon, Manheim
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 72: Lebanon, Manheim
7
35.1 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reading, PA and Palmdale, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver, Manheim and Hershey.
Patp
13.1 mi in|~18m
Denver
13.1 mi in|~18m
Manheim
34.7 mi in|~44m
Hershey
35.1 mi in|~45m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
19.8 mi
21m
US 222
9.8 mi
12m
Horseshoe Pike
7.7 mi
12m
Penn Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Lebanon Road
2.5 mi
3m
Lingle Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 19.8 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Palmdale, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
0.4 mi·40 sec·Penn Street
2
Continue on US 422 Business Alternate
2.6 mi·4 min·Penn Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
4
Merge onto US 222
9.8 mi·12 min·US 222
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·52 sec
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.3 mi·39 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 76; PATP
20 mi·21 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward PA 72: Lebanon, ManheimUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·17 sec·this road
12
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·10 sec
Toward PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
13
Turn left onto PA 72
2.5 mi·3 min·Lebanon Road
14
Turn straight onto US 322
7.7 mi·12 min·Horseshoe Pike
Toward US 322 West: Harrisburg, Hershey
15
Continue on US 322
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
16
Turn right onto Palmyra Road
0.3 mi·30 sec·Palmyra Road
17
Turn slight left onto Lingle Avenue
1.8 mi·3 min·Lingle Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 422
0.5 mi·1 min·East Chocolate Avenue
19
Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue
80 ft·3 sec·Roosevelt Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Roosevelt Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.4 mi from Reading, PA
· 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palmdale, PA
The final approach into Palmdale, 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
$8.07 one way
$16.15 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg17 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$8.84
$17.69
premium
$4.93
$9.44
$18.89
diesel
$5.61
$10.75
$21.50
Estimated Tolls: $2.58
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(19.8 mi)$2.58
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$3
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
14.6
0
$5.11
$2.34
Efficient EV
12.2
0
$4.26
$1.95
EV Truck/SUV
19.5
0
$6.82
$3.12
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Friday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 to 15 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Palmdale, PA
Morning
in Palmdale on Friday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Schoeneck, PA
24 mi in
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
15 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
1h 7m 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 Palmdale, PA covers 48.7 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike, US 222, Horseshoe Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.4 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 $8.07 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 48.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Reading, PA and Palmdale, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver, Manheim and Hershey.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
