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Trip from Charleroi, 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

4h 44m

Distance

246.4 mi

397 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 31m ★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 51m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Charleroi, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 246.4-mile drive from Charleroi, PA, to Reading, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a brief stint on US 222. With 92% of the journey on highways, expect a direct and efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $41, making it an economical option for a day trip within Pennsylvania. This route focuses on covering ground, so it's ideal if you want to reach your destination without extensive detours.

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

123.2 miles from Charleroi, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 212.3 mi 3h 52m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway 17.1 mi 23m
US 222 7.4 mi 9m
US 222 BUS 4.9 mi 8m
I 70 0.9 mi 2m
Colonel Howard Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Pennsylvania Avenue 0.7 mi <1m
South 5th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 212.3 mi, about 3h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charleroi, PA and Reading, PA.

1

Start on PA 88

0.4 mi · 1 min · Fallowfield Avenue
2

Turn left onto PA 88

270 ft · 10 sec · 1st Street
3

Turn right onto PA 88

0.3 mi · 25 sec · McKean Avenue
4

Continue on PA 88

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
5

Continue on PA 88

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Pennsylvania Street
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec
7

Merge onto I 70

17 mi · 23 min · Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto I 70

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 70
Exit 58 Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
10

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

212 mi · 3 hr 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
13

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
15

Merge onto US 222

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 222
16

Continue on US 222

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 222
17

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS

4.9 mi · 8 min · US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
19

Turn right onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
20

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
22

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 4-hour 44-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Charleroi to avoid any potential rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break; however, remember that the longest continuous stretch is over 200 miles, so be mindful of your fuel levels. Keep an eye out for the transition onto US 222 as you get closer to Reading, as this marks the final leg of your journey.

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 123.2 miles from Charleroi, PA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.3 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 123.2 miles or 2h 22m 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 49m

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 Charleroi, 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 Charleroi, PA

This is one driving day of about 246.4 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Charleroi, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 212.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

123 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

Geistown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.2 miles from Charleroi, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Back Porch Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $40 to $50

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17244834500

Visit website

Little Bamboo | Chinese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

3 mi

The Back Porch Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $40 to $50

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17244834500

Visit website

Little Bamboo | Chinese Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+17249296899

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 176

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

The Barn Restaurant at Allenberry

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 176

Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17172583211

Visit website

Clubby's Coffee Shop

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+17242433187

Visit website

Sheetz, Inc. Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 17.6

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 17.6

New Stanton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 52.8

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 35.2

Jones Mills, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Donora, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 52.8

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 52.8

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 52.8

Somerset, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 193.6

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

Gibraltar Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 246.4

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 240.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
19.1 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 70

Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 58 Toward I 70 Toll East, I 76 Toll, PATP: Harrisb...
6
19.5 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
232.3 mi into trip | ~4h 22m in

Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata

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: Reading, Ephrata
6
233.2 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
240.8 mi into trip | ~4h 34m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.85 one way

$81.70 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $44.74 $89.48
premium $4.93 $47.79 $95.57
diesel $5.61 $54.40 $108.80

Estimated Tolls: $27.60

Pennsylvania Turnpike (212.3 mi) $27.60

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

$41

Tolls

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.9 0 $25.87 $11.83
Efficient EV 61.6 0 $21.56 $9.86
EV Truck/SUV 98.6 1 $34.50 $15.77

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 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 19, 2026

Origin

Charleroi, PA

Late night in Charleroi on Sunday

Local time

4:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Late night in Reading on Sunday

Local time

4:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Hancock, MD

123 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

17 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

4h 44m 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.

Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 169.9
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 68
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 212.4
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...

24 mi from route ~59 min detour Free near mile 34
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour Free near mile 85
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is largely a highway-focused experience, with 92% of the driving occurring on high-speed roads. You'll spend the majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, covering a significant longest stretch of 212.3 miles uninterrupted. This means you can expect a consistent pace for most of the journey. The transition to US 222 towards the end offers a slight change in scenery and road type as you approach Reading.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Dwight D Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near I 70.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 15 significant decision points across 246.4 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 19.1 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Charleroi, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ephrata.

Patp: Harrisburg

19.1 mi in | ~27m | via I 70

Pittsburgh

19.1 mi in | ~27m | via I 70

Ephrata

232.3 mi in | ~4h 22m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 246.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 212.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $27.60 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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.

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 19.1 miles (I 70): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.5 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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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