Bushkill, PA to Reading, PA is 87.2 miles and takes about 2 hours 9 minutes via US 209 and Lehigh Valley Thruway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The drive offers a mixed experience of highway cruising and surface road travel, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a manageable distance that allows for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Bushkill, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 209
33.5 mi
48m
Lehigh Valley Thruway
17.1 mi
23m
Allentown Pike
6 mi
10m
US 222
5.9 mi
7m
Kutztown Road
5.2 mi
7m
North 5th Street Highway
5 mi
8m
Keystone Shortway
3.6 mi
5m
Schantz Road
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 209
— 33.5 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bushkill, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on US 209
8.0 mi·15 min·US 209
2
Enter roundabout onto US 209
176 ft·6 sec·Seven Bridge Road
3
Continue on US 209
3.1 mi·5 min·Seven Bridge Road
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 209
5
Merge onto I 80
3.6 mi·5 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209
25 mi·32 min·US 209
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: SnydersvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, AllentownUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
17 mi·23 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
13
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
14
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
15
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
18
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
19
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
20
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
21
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
22
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
23
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
24
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
26
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
27
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Allentown Pike
28
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi·8 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·South 5th Street
30
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
33
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour traffic in built-up areas and allow ample time for the drive. You won't need to worry about splitting this drive into multiple days, offering flexibility for spontaneous stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $14, and plan to refuel before you leave Bushkill or upon reaching Reading. The longest stretch on US 209 is a good opportunity for some uninterrupted cruising.
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 43.6 miles from Bushkill, PA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.5 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 19 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 1h 4m 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 48m
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 Bushkill, 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 Bushkill, PA
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Bushkill, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 209 for about 33.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 15 and 87 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15 mi into trip|~27m in|US 209
Keep slight right at fork onto US 209 toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 209 south to PA 33 south: Snydersvill...
7
40.2 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward US 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
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 22 West: Bethlehem, Allentown
7
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
6
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 222
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
87 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.46 one way
$28.91 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.83
$31.67
premium
$4.93
$16.91
$33.82
diesel
$5.61
$19.25
$38.51
Estimated Tolls: $1.20
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(17.1 mi)$1.20
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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 20, 2026
Origin
Bushkill, PA
Late night
in Bushkill on Tuesday
Local time
5:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
5:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
16 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
2h 9m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 84.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 87.2-mile route is about 46% highway, meaning you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more local road driving. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 33.5 miles on US 209. Expect to transition from highway speeds to surface roads, particularly as you approach Reading. The constant presence of exits on the highway sections suggests a more developed corridor.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.5 mi on US 209.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 15 miles in near US 209.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 87.2 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 15 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Bushkill, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Allentown 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.5 miles on US 209. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.20 in tolls one way, starting with Lehigh Valley Thruway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15 miles (US 209): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 59.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Reading, PA before heading back.
