Spanning 219.3 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from Brookville to Reading is a manageable trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes. Given the duration, it is perfectly suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a regional excursion. The route transitions through the heart of the Northeast, utilizing a mix of major thoroughfares and local roadways to get you from point A to point B. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a practical choice for most drivers.
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
109.7 miles from Brookville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
142.1 mi
2h 32m
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
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 142.1 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookville, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on US 322; PA 28
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
2
Continue on US 322; PA 28
0.6 mi·1 min·E Main St
3
Continue on US 322; PA 28
1.1 mi·1 min·State Route 28 North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
142 mi·2 hr 32 min·Keystone Shortway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
7
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
8
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
10
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
11
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
13
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
14
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
15
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
16
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
17
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
18
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
19
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
20
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
21
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
22
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
24
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
25
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
32
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
33
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Because this drive is designed to be completed in a single day, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 219.3-mile trip and stretch your legs, especially when navigating the more technical, turn-heavy sections. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $36, it is wise to check your vehicle's range before leaving Brookville to ensure you can reach your destination efficiently. Keep a close eye on your navigation when exiting the Keystone Shortway, as the transition to State Route 54 and Center Avenue requires careful attention to signage. By staying alert during the local stretches, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free arrival in Reading.
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 109.7 miles from Brookville, PA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.1 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 2h 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 20m
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 Brookville, 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 Brookville, PA
This is one driving day of about 219.3 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Brookville, 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 142.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 144.5 and 219.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
144.5 mi into trip|~2h 37m 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
144.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
148.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
187.7 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Turn left onto PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Navigation decision point
6
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.36 one way
$72.71 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.82
$79.64
premium
$4.93
$42.53
$85.06
diesel
$5.61
$48.42
$96.84
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: 76.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.19
$8.77
EV Truck/SUV
87.7
1
$30.70
$14.04
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 15, 2026
Origin
Brookville, PA
Late night
in Brookville on Sunday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
12:36 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
10 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 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple interstate cruise. While you will spend a significant portion of your time on the Keystone Shortway—which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 142.1 miles—the overall highway share is quite low at just 6 percent. As you navigate away from the primary highway, the character of the road shifts toward more technical local segments. You will eventually transition onto State Route 54 and Center Avenue, which demand more focus than a standard multi-lane highway. Be prepared to shift your driving style as the road evolves from high-speed transit into more winding, localized conditions.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.1 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 144.5 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 15m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): 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 Brookville, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
144.5 mi in|~2h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 219.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 142.1 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 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.1 miles (PA 54 / Elysburg Road): 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 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
