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Trip from Reading, PA to Waterford, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

310.1 mi

499 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 15m

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 Waterford, PA, PA

Waterford, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

The drive from Reading, PA to Waterford, PA covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 22m 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, William Flinn Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 153 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.41 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

155 miles from Reading, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 310.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 6h 22m drive with frequent turns across 310.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 60 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 153 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

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 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (US 209 / South Centre Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 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

5
33.8 mi into trip | ~43m in | US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street

Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street

Navigation decision point

4
33.9 mi into trip | ~43m in | US 209 / South Centre Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 209 / South Centre 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
301.9 mi into trip | ~6h 11m in | PA 97 / Perry Street

Turn left onto PA 97 / Perry Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 153 mi 2h 44m
Pottsville Pike 14.4 mi 18m
William Flinn Highway 12.4 mi 16m
Route 208 12.3 mi 18m
Locust Gap Highway 11.5 mi 13m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
South Market Street 9.7 mi 11m
PA 36 9.5 mi 14m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 153 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

153 mi · 2 hr 44 min · Keystone Shortway
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward US 322: Strattanville
31

Turn right onto US 322

4.0 mi · 5 min · Route 322
32

Continue on US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
33

Continue on US 322

1.6 mi · 2 min · Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
34

Continue on US 322

1.7 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
35

Turn slight right onto US 322

4.6 mi · 6 min · North 1st Avenue
36

Turn right onto PA 208

0.4 mi · 35 sec · North School Street
37

Continue on PA 208

7.2 mi · 10 min · Route 208
38

Continue on PA 208

5.0 mi · 7 min · Route 208
39

Continue on PA 36

9.5 mi · 14 min · PA 36
40

Turn left onto US 62; PA 36

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Route 36 and 62
41

Turn right onto PA 36

4.5 mi · 6 min · Colonel Drake Highway
42

Continue on PA 36

4.4 mi · 6 min · Tionesta Road
43

Continue on PA 36

1.3 mi · 1 min · East State Street
44

Continue on PA 27

2.6 mi · 3 min · Titusville Road
45

Continue on PA 27

1.1 mi · 2 min · Plank Road
46

Continue on PA 27

1.5 mi · 4 min · East Central Avenue
47

Turn slight right onto PA 8

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Spring Street
Use the right lane.
48

Continue on PA 8

3.0 mi · 4 min · Hydetown Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
49

Continue on PA 8

4.6 mi · 6 min · William Flinn Highway
50

Continue on PA 8

1.6 mi · 2 min · Erie Street
51

Continue on PA 8

7.8 mi · 10 min · William Flinn Highway
52

Continue on PA 8

3.1 mi · 4 min · Titusville Road
53

Continue on US 6; PA 8

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
54

Turn left onto PA 97

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Perry Street
Use the left lane.
55

Continue on PA 97

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Waterford Street
56

Continue on PA 97

6.9 mi · 8 min · PA-97
57

Enter roundabout onto US 19; PA 97

62 ft · 0 sec · Route 19
58

Continue on US 19; PA 97

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Route 19
59

Continue on US 19; PA 97

0.4 mi · 52 sec · High Street
60

Arrive at destination

US 19; PA 97

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155 miles from Reading, PA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153 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 68 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155 miles or 3h 1m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterford, 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 310.1 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 153 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155 mi from Reading, PA · 3h 1m into the drive

county seat of Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellefonte, PA

155 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

City of Scranton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

State College, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155 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 153 miles.

Arriving in Waterford, PA

The final approach into Waterford, 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 Waterford, 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 42.8
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.41 one way

$102.82 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $56.31 $112.61
premium $4.93 $60.14 $120.28
diesel $5.61 $68.47 $136.93

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

$51

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93 1 $32.56 $14.88
Efficient EV 77.5 0 $27.13 $12.40
EV Truck/SUV 124 1 $43.41 $19.85

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Reading, PA

Afternoon in Reading on Thursday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waterford, PA

Afternoon in Waterford on Thursday

Local time

3:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

3 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

6h 22m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Waterford, PA covers 310.1 miles and takes about 6h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, Pottsville Pike, William Flinn Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155 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 $51.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (US 209 / South Centre Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Reading, PA to Waterford, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

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Return Trip

Waterford, PA to Reading, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

309.3 mi 6h 24m

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