This 121.5-mile journey from Cherry Ridge to Reading, Pennsylvania, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I-380, and Lake Ariel Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $20 and only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward drive through Pennsylvania's Northeast region. The drive feels like a turn-heavy local exploration, making it ideal for a single day of travel without feeling rushed. It's a practical choice for a weekend getaway or a quick visit between these two points.
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
60.7 miles from Cherry Ridge, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
26
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
27
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
31
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
32
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
33
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
36
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
37
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
38
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
39
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
40
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
41
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
42
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
44
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
45
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Allentown Pike
46
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi·8 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
47
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·South 5th Street
48
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
49
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
50
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
51
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 53 minute duration, departing Cherry Ridge in the morning is ideal to maximize your time in Reading. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you reach a larger town. Your fuel cost is estimated at $20, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off, especially since the longest stretch without a major exit is nearly 30 miles. Keep an eye out for the transitions between highway and local road sections, as these can require adjustments in speed and navigation.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.7 miles from Cherry Ridge, PA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 27 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 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 Cherry Ridge, 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 Cherry Ridge, PA
This is one driving day of about 121.5 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Cherry Ridge, 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 Northeast Extension for about 29.4 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.4 and 121.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
41.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
7
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the ramp toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
6
90.2 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
94 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
7
121.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
$19.82 one way
$39.65 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$21.80
$43.60
premium
$4.86
$23.26
$46.52
diesel
$5.61
$26.83
$53.65
Estimated Tolls: $4.49
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(29.4 mi)$3.82
Drinker Turnpike
(7.3 mi)$0.51
Easton Turnpike
(1.1 mi)$0.08
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$20
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.4
0
$12.76
$5.83
Efficient EV
30.4
0
$10.63
$4.86
EV Truck/SUV
48.6
0
$17.01
$7.78
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Cherry Ridge, PA
Afternoon
in Cherry Ridge on Tuesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
48 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
2h 53m 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.
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,...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
$10
near mile 37.7
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 117.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with 54% of the journey on highways. While there are stretches of faster driving, the overall character leans towards navigating local roads and interchanges. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.4 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. This suggests a dynamic driving experience where you'll transition between more open highway segments and potentially more complex local road networks as you progress towards Reading.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 121.5 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 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 60.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Cherry Ridge, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Blakeslee, Patp South and Harrisburg.
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 53m. Total distance: 121.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). 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 29.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.49 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.
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 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 60.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
