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Trip from Reading, PA to Preston, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 44m

Distance

83.2 mi

134 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 36m ★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Preston, PA, PA

Preston, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

Reading, PA to Preston, PA is 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 44m via I 81, Pottsville Pike, and Centre Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a journey that is largely highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip for getting from point A to point B. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for a quick transit or a segment of a larger journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.6 miles from Reading, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 83.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 65% of the journey on major roads like I 81. You'll experience a longest stretch of 40 miles on I 81, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the primary roads lean towards high-speed travel, the inclusion of Pottsville Pike and Centre Turnpike suggests a transition to more localized, though still substantial, roadways. Overall, the drive balances efficient travel on interstates with the character of main arteries.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 40 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Pottsville Pike. You will hit about 7 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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.2 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.6 miles (PA 61 / Centre Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These 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

3
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | PA 61 / Centre Avenue

Turn slight left onto PA 61 / Centre Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
41 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
5
81.2 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Take the exit toward PA 29 north: Nanticoke

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 164 Toward PA 29 north: Nanticoke
7
82.2 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Take the exit toward Sugar Notch, Ashley

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

Exit 1 Toward Sugar Notch, Ashley

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 40 mi 46m
Pottsville Pike 14.4 mi 18m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard 4.8 mi 5m
Route 61 South 3 mi 3m
Centre Avenue 3 mi 4m
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard 1.5 mi 2m
South Centre Avenue 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 40 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Preston, 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

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
16

Continue on PA 61

4.8 mi · 5 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
18

Merge onto I 81

40 mi · 46 min · I 81
19

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 164 Toward PA 29 north: Nanticoke
20

Continue on PA 29

0.3 mi · 25 sec · South Cross Valley Expressway
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 1 Toward Sugar Notch, Ashley
22

Turn slight right

161 ft · 3 sec
23

Turn slight right onto Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · Main Street
24

Turn right onto Chester Street

287 ft · 12 sec · Chester Street
25

Arrive at destination

Chester Street

Trip Plan

With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers excellent flexibility for departure. Aim to leave Reading, PA in the morning to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays or to simply enjoy a relaxed pace. The longest stretch is 40 miles on I 81, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering this longer segment. Given the short distance, you won't need extensive rest breaks, but a quick stop around the halfway point might be beneficial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off I 81 onto Pottsville Pike and Centre Turnpike, as services can be more spaced out on these roads.

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 41.6 miles from Reading, PA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40 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 18 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.6 miles or 53m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Preston, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Reading, PA

This is one driving day of about 83.2 miles and 1h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Reading, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 40 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 41.6 mi from Reading, PA · 53m into the drive

Downtown Cressona, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cressona, PA

42 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

Bloomsburg, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frackville, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Preston, PA

The final approach into Preston, 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

$13.79 one way

$27.59 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $15.11 $30.21
premium $4.93 $16.14 $32.27
diesel $5.61 $18.37 $36.74

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

$14

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25 0 $8.74 $3.99
Efficient EV 20.8 0 $7.28 $3.33
EV Truck/SUV 33.3 0 $11.65 $5.32

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Saturday

Local time

8:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Preston, PA

Morning in Preston on Saturday

Local time

8:55 AM

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

29 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 44m 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 Preston, PA covers 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 41.6 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 $13.79 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 83.2 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.6 miles (PA 61 / Centre Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Reading, PA to Preston, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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