Abbottstown, PA to Reading, PA is 71.8 miles and takes about 1h 45m via US 30 and US 222, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey. With a short duration of under two hours, this trip is ideal for a quick day trip or as a segment of a larger Pennsylvania adventure. It's a straightforward route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Abbottstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
28.6 mi
41m
US 222
23.7 mi
29m
Lincoln Highway
8.4 mi
14m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
I 83
2.2 mi
3m
West Market Street
1.8 mi
3m
North Hills Road
0.6 mi
1m
South 5th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 28.6 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abbottstown, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on this road
165 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn left
64 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto West Fleet Street
130 ft·11 sec·West Fleet Street
4
Turn left onto PA 194
197 ft·5 sec·South Queen Street
5
Enter roundabout onto US 30
12 ft·0 sec·East King Street
6
Continue on US 30
0.2 mi·29 sec·East King Street
7
Continue on US 30
8.4 mi·14 min·Lincoln Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 30
1.8 mi·3 min·West Market Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 30
5.8 mi·10 min·US 30
Toward US 30 East: LancasterUse the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 83 South: BaltimoreUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 83
2.2 mi·3 min·I 83
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward PA 462 East
13
Turn right onto South Belmont Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Belmont Street
14
Turn right onto PA 462
0.1 mi·15 sec·East Market Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto North Hills Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Hills Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 30
23 mi·31 min·US 30
17
Take the exit onto US 222
20 mi·23 min·US 222
Toward US 222 North: Reading
18
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
19
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS
4.9 mi·8 min·US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, ShillingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
22
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1h 45m drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take full advantage of daylight. With the fuel cost estimated around $12, planning for one or two stops for gas, if needed, is sensible. Since this is a relatively short drive with a longest stretch of 28.6 miles, you have the flexibility to stop for breaks as needed without significantly impacting your arrival time. Keep an eye out for transitions from US 30 to US 222 as you progress toward Reading.
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 35.9 miles from Abbottstown, PA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 16 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 56m 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 28m
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 Abbottstown, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Abbottstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 71.8 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Abbottstown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 71.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.5 mi into trip|~19m in|US 30
Take the exit onto US 30 toward US 30 East: Lancaster
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 30 East: Lancaster
6
16.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 83 South: Baltimore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 83 South: Baltimore
7
19 mi into trip|~33m in|PA 462 / East Market Street
Turn right onto PA 462 / East Market Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|US 222 BUS
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
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 US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shill...
6
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.90 one way
$23.81 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.04
$26.07
premium
$4.93
$13.92
$27.85
diesel
$5.61
$15.85
$31.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.54
$3.45
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.28
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.60
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Abbottstown, PA
Late night
in Abbottstown on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°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 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 45m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 56.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 2.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 83% highway share, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on faster roads like US 30 and US 222. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.6 miles on US 30, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While primarily highway-focused, be aware that some sections, particularly as you approach your destination, may transition to more local road conditions. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.6 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near US 30.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 10.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (PA 462 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Abbottstown, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shillington along the way.
Shillington
66.2 mi in|~1h 35m|via US 222 BUS
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 71.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.6 miles on US 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Reading, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (US 30): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (PA 462 / East Market Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Reading, PA before heading back.
