Origin
Athens, PA
Morning in Athens on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Athens, PA to Reading, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
157.7 mi
254 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, PA
Efrem Efre
Trip Overview
This 157.7-mile drive from Athens, PA to Reading, PA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on US 220, PA 42, and State Route 54, with a highway share of 52%. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $26. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests a varied experience, so it's a good candidate for a single-day adventure without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a consistent regional feel for the trip.
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
78.9 miles from Athens, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 220 | 53.9 mi | 1h 2m |
| PA 42 | 15.3 mi | 22m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 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 |
| Jerseytown Road | 7.6 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 53.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 199
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto West Pine Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Pine Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
4
Merge onto US 220
17 mi
·
21 min
·
US 220
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
36 mi
·
41 min
·
US 220
6
Continue on PA 42
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
PA 42
7
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 42
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 42
8
Turn slight right onto PA 42
265 ft
·
9 sec
·
PA 42
9
Continue on PA 118; PA 42
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
PA 118; PA 42
10
Turn right onto PA 42
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
PA 42
11
At end of road, turn left onto PA 42
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 42
12
Continue on PA 42
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
North State Street
13
Turn right onto PA 254
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Rohrsburg Road
14
Continue on PA 254
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Jerseytown Road
15
Turn left onto PA 44; PA 642
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Danville Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 642
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Danville Road
17
Continue on PA 642
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Jerseytown Road
18
Turn left onto PA 54
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
20
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
21
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
23
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
25
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
26
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
27
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
28
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
29
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
30
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
31
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
32
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
34
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
35
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
42
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
43
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
45
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
With a total duration of about 3 hours and 27 minutes, this route is well-suited for a single day. You could comfortably leave Athens in the morning and arrive in Reading by early afternoon, allowing for flexibility. There's one recommended stop indicated, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps midway through the 53.9-mile longest stretch on US 220. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $26, and it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially when driving a mixed-terrain route.
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 78.9 miles from Athens, PA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 50m
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 Athens, 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 Athens, PA
This is one driving day of about 157.7 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Athens, 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 US 220 for about 53.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from Athens, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 157.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 220
Merge onto US 220
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
PA 42 / State Route 42
At end of road, turn left onto PA 42 / State Route 42
Navigation decision point
5
84.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
86.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
157.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.14 one way
$52.29 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $28.63 | $57.27 |
| premium | $4.93 | $30.58 | $61.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.82 | $69.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.56 | $7.57 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.08 | $10.09 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
3% chance
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
40 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
3h 27m on the road
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.
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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 125.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'Mixed drive' experience on this route, with 52% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.9 miles along US 220, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. As you transition between US 220, PA 42, and State Route 54, the road character is likely to shift, providing a varied driving experience beyond just highway cruising. This blend means you'll experience both efficient travel and more local road navigation.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.9 mi on US 220.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.7 miles in near US 220.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 157.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 220): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (PA 42 / State Route 42): Navigation decision point; at 84.4 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 157.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.9 miles on US 220. 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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 220): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (PA 42 / State Route 42): Navigation decision point; at 84.4 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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