Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
46.5 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Lion, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Reading, PA to Red Lion, PA is 46.5 miles and takes about 1h 6m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and Morgantown Expressway, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip primarily within Pennsylvania, making it a convenient option for local travelers. The drive offers a mixed experience on the road, connecting two points within the Northeast region. Given its relatively short distance and manageable duration, it's an easy addition to a larger travel plan or a quick solo journey.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 13.1 mi | 14m |
| Morgantown Expressway | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| Pottstown Pike | 7.8 mi | 13m |
| Lenape Road | 6 mi | 10m |
| West Shore Bypass | 2 mi | 2m |
| North High Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Street Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Miner Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Red Lion, PA.
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
Turn left onto South 4th Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 222 BUS
Continue on US 222 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 422
Take the exit
Continue on I 176
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto PA 100
Continue on Pottstown Pike
Continue on North High Street
Turn right onto PA 842
Turn left onto South Bradford Avenue
Continue on PA 52
Continue on PA 52
Enter roundabout onto PA 52
Continue on PA 52
Turn right onto PA 926
Turn left onto Conservatory Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.2 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 28.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 422 East: Pottstown, Morgantown
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 176 South: Morgantown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PA 100: Downingtown, Pottstown, West Chester
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 PA 100 South: Downingtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.71 one way
$15.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $8.44 | $16.89 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.02 | $18.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.27 | $20.53 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.71
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| Efficient EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.07 | $1.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.51 | $2.98 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Afternoon in Reading on Saturday
Local time
1:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Red Lion on Saturday
Local time
1:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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.
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 53% of the journey utilizing highways. You'll experience stretches on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Morgantown Expressway, and Pottstown Pike, offering a variety of driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 13.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, allowing for a period of consistent highway travel. Expect the character of the drive to shift as you transition between these main roads, moving from faster-paced highway sections to potentially more varied local road segments as you approach your destination.
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 1 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: 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 Red Lion, PA, road signs point toward Pottstown and Chester.
Pottstown
Chester
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 46.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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