Embarking from Albion, PA, and heading to Reading, PA, this 218.1-mile journey will take approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, this drive is well-suited as a single-day trip. You'll navigate primarily along local roads, including McCracken Road, Sykes Street, and Blinker Parkway, with no highway driving involved. This makes for a more engaging, turn-heavy local experience through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Given its manageable duration, it's an easy one-day adventure.
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
109.4 miles from Albion, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
122.6 mi
2h 11m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
US 119
11 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 122.6 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,081 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,447
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albion, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Albion Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Albion Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto McCracken Road
0.6 mi·2 min·McCracken Road
3
Merge onto US 119
11 mi·13 min·US 119
4
Turn left onto US 119
1.0 mi·1 min·Sykes Street
5
Continue on US 119
2.8 mi·3 min·Blinker Parkway
6
Continue on US 119
523 ft·11 sec·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
7
Turn left onto US 219
2.7 mi·3 min·US 219
8
At end of road, turn right onto PA 255
1.4 mi·2 min·East DuBois Avenue
9
Continue on PA 255
1.1 mi·1 min·Bee Line Highway
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
123 mi·2 hr 11 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
13
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
14
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
16
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
17
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
19
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
20
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
21
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
23
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
24
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
25
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
26
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
27
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
28
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
30
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
31
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
37
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
38
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
39
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
41
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Considering this is a 4-hour, turn-heavy local drive, an early morning departure is your best bet to avoid potential local traffic congestion. With only one recommended stop and no long highway stretches, you have the flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36 and local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways. A good tip for this specific route is to ensure your GPS is up-to-date, as frequent turns on local roads can be tricky to navigate without accurate directions.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 109.4 miles from Albion, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.6 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 48 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.4 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 25m
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 Albion, 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 Albion, PA
This is one driving day of about 218.9 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Albion, 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 122.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 218.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in|McCracken Road
At end of road, turn left onto McCracken Road
Navigation decision point
5
144 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
144.3 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
147.6 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
218.7 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.71 one way
$71.43 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$39.27
$78.55
premium
$4.86
$41.91
$83.82
diesel
$5.40
$46.56
$93.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.15
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 26, 2026
Origin
Albion, PA
Afternoon
in Albion on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
3:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Lewisburg, PA
109 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
2 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
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 188.7
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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 as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through towns and local thoroughfares for the entire 218.1 miles. With a 0% highway share, expect a consistent pace that involves interacting with local traffic and road conditions. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving due to the nature of the route, so be prepared for a dynamic driving experience. The road will likely feel like a series of connected local streets and county roads rather than open highway.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near McCracken Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 218.9 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 0.6 miles (McCracken Road): Navigation decision point; at 144 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): 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 Albion, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Reading is a historic city of about 95,000 (2020 Census) in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, 35 miles southwest of Allentown and 55 miles east of Harrisburg. It punches above its weight in culture, and its downtown features some iconic buildings, so consider making it a stopover on your way between any of these and other area cities.
Top landmarks
•Frederick Lauer Monument — monument in City Park, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 218.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (McCracken Road): Navigation decision point; at 144 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
