Trip from Tunkhannock, PA to Reading, PA

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

115.9 mi

187 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 26m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m

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

Downtown Tunkhannock, PA, PA

Tunkhannock, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tunkhannock to Reading covers 115.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because this route stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you will find it manageable as a simple one-day excursion. You should budget roughly $19 for fuel to complete the journey, making this a cost-effective trip. While the drive is straightforward, it is best suited for a single day of travel rather than an overnight stay. Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate from the northern part of the state down toward Reading, utilizing a combination of local highways and major interstates.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 115.9-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, balancing regional roads with interstate travel. You will spend about 42% of your time on highways, with a significant portion of the route utilizing I-81, PA 309, and the Tunkhannock Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 34-mile segment on I-81, which provides a steady rhythm before transitioning back to secondary roads. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the Tunkhannock area and navigate toward your destination. The combination of varied road types keeps the drive engaging without requiring constant, high-intensity maneuvering.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 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 34 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 29 / Bridge Street.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 29 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.9 miles (PA 61 / Skyline Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 29 / Bridge Street

Depart onto PA 29 / Bridge Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
73.4 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Frackville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 124B Toward PA 61 North: Frackville
8
73.9 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | PA 61 / Skyline Drive

Turn uturn onto PA 61 / Skyline Drive

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | US 422 Business / Franklin Street

Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street

Navigation decision point

6
115.7 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | South 6th Street

Turn left onto South 6th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 34 mi 38m
Tunkhannock Highway 15.8 mi 25m
PA 309 11.9 mi 15m
Center Avenue 10.6 mi 12m
Pottsville Pike 10.2 mi 12m
Memorial Highway 9.7 mi 16m
Skyline Drive 4.4 mi 5m
Centre Street 4.2 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 34 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on PA 29

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2

Continue on PA 29

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Tunkhannock Highway
3

Continue on PA 29

1.9 mi · 3 min · Hunter Highway
4

Continue on PA 29

16 mi · 24 min · Tunkhannock Highway
5

Turn left onto PA 309; PA 415

9.7 mi · 16 min · Memorial Highway
6

Take the exit onto PA 309

12 mi · 15 min · PA 309
7

Continue on I 81

34 mi · 38 min · I 81
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 124B Toward PA 61 North: Frackville
9

Turn straight onto PA 61

500 ft · 13 sec · Skyline Drive
10

Turn uturn onto PA 61

4.3 mi · 5 min · Skyline Drive
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on PA 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
12

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
13

Continue on PA 61

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
14

Continue on PA 61

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
15

Continue on PA 61

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
16

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Continue on PA 61

4.2 mi · 5 min · Centre Street
18

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 17 sec · South 4th Street
19

Continue on PA 61

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on PA 61

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on PA 61

3.2 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23

Continue on PA 61

4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on PA 61

2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on PA 61

0.8 mi · 1 min · North 4th Street
26

Turn left onto US 422 Business

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Franklin Street
27

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
28

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
29

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

Planning for this 2-hour and 35-minute trip is straightforward, as it requires only one planned stop to keep your schedule flexible. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of leaving at a time that best suits your personal preference without worrying about a multi-day itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $19 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition between the Tunkhannock Highway and the interstate sections, as traffic patterns can shift quickly. Use your single stop strategically to stretch your legs once you have cleared the initial 34-mile stretch on I-81.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reading, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tunkhannock, 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 Tunkhannock, PA

This is one driving day of about 115.9 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tunkhannock, 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 I 81 for about 34 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58 mi from Tunkhannock, PA · 1h 22m into the drive

Downtown Ramapo, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

58 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Reading, PA

The final approach into Reading, 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 Reading, PA.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.18 one way

$38.36 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $20.99 $41.97
premium $4.92 $22.46 $44.92
diesel $5.64 $25.75 $51.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.8 0 $12.17 $5.56
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.14 $4.64
EV Truck/SUV 46.4 0 $16.23 $7.42

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tunkhannock, PA

Night in Tunkhannock on Sunday

Local time

9:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Night in Reading on Sunday

Local time

9:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

58 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

24 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

2h 35m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tunkhannock, PA to Reading, PA covers 115.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Tunkhannock Highway, PA 309. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.18 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 29 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.9 miles (PA 61 / Skyline Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tunkhannock, PA to Reading, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Reading, PA to Tunkhannock, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

115.1 mi 2h 34m

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

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