Clymer, PA to Reading, PA is 229.2 miles and takes about 4h 28m via Keystone Shortway and State Route 54, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region towards its eastern part. Expect a drive with frequent turns, best suited for those who prefer navigating local roads over long highway stretches. With only one recommended stop and a driving time under five hours, this route is achievable in a single day, making it a straightforward journey for a quick trip.
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
114.6 miles from Clymer, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
103.7 mi
1h 51m
Franklin Street
19.3 mi
22m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clymer, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on 6th Street
31 ft·5 sec·6th Street
2
Turn right onto PA 286; PA 403
19 mi·21 min·Franklin Street
3
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
4
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
5
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
6
Continue on US 219; PA 36
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
8
Continue on US 219
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
9
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
10
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
11
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
12
Continue on PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
13
Turn right onto PA 879
4.2 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
15
Merge onto I 80
104 mi·1 hr 51 min·Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
17
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
18
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 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
Given the relatively short duration of around 4.5 hours, starting your drive from Clymer in the morning allows ample time to reach Reading before evening. While only one stop is officially noted, you may want to plan for additional brief breaks to stay refreshed, especially given the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the highway share is low, meaning you'll likely be passing through more towns with varying fuel prices; it's wise to fill up before leaving the Keystone Shortway for the final leg. Remember to check your route on Franklin Street and State Route 54 for any local advisories before you depart.
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 114.6 miles from Clymer, PA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 50 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 31m
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 Clymer, 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 Clymer, PA
This is one driving day of about 229.2 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Clymer, 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 103.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 229 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 286; PA 403 / Franklin Street
Turn right onto PA 286; PA 403 / Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
5
154.3 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
154.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
157.9 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
229 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.03 one way
$80.06 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$43.83
$87.66
premium
$5.20
$46.89
$93.77
diesel
$6.28
$56.63
$113.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.06
$9.17
EV Truck/SUV
91.7
1
$32.09
$14.67
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Clymer, PA
Morning
in Clymer on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM 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
23 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 28m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 199
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 5% of the journey on highways. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including stretches of Franklin Street and State Route 54, interspersed with the Keystone Shortway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 103.7 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you dive back into more varied road conditions. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed limits as you move through different communities.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 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 early in the drive near PA 286; PA 403 / Franklin Street.
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 28m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 286; PA 403 / Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,599 ft253 ft
Total Climb
1,739 ft
Total Descent
2,735 ft
Highest Point
1,599 ft
~81.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,346 ft
Notable High Points
1,576 ft at ~114.6 miles+533 ft prominence
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 Clymer, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville 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.
Top landmarks
•Frederick Lauer Monument — monument in City Park, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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.
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: near the start (PA 286; PA 403 / Franklin Street): Navigation decision point; at 154.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.6 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
