Collier, PA to Reading, PA is 246.8 miles and takes about 4h 51m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mon/Fayette Expressway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Northeast region and entirely within Pennsylvania. Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for getting from point A to point B efficiently, especially if you're looking for a no-fuss transit.
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
123.4 miles from Collier, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
196.6 mi
3h 35m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
12.2 mi
14m
Pleasant Valley Road
7.9 mi
13m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
PA 31
6 mi
9m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
South 8th Street
3.9 mi
4m
Morrell Avenue
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 196.6 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collier, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
0.2 mi·53 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Collier Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Collier Road
3
Turn left onto US 119
1.8 mi·2 min·Morgantown Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 119
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 119
5
Merge onto US 119
12 mi·14 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
6
Continue on US 119
2.2 mi·2 min·Morrell Avenue
7
Continue on US 119
3.9 mi·4 min·South 8th Street
8
Take the exit
244 ft·6 sec
9
Turn straight onto PA 982
7.9 mi·13 min·Pleasant Valley Road
10
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·PA 31
11
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·33 sec
12
Turn left
28 ft·3 sec
13
Take the ramp
493 ft·12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
15
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
197 mi·3 hr 35 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
20
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
21
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
22
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS
4.9 mi·8 min·US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, ShillingtonUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
25
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 51-minute drive time, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Reading comfortably within daylight hours. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 196 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your first break before you feel the need to stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one fill-up, potentially before embarking on that long turnpike segment. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, consider leaving early to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach your destination.
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 123.4 miles from Collier, PA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.6 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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 56m
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 Collier, 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 Collier, PA
This is one driving day of about 246.8 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Collier, 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 196.6 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 35.7 and 246.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35.7 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the ramp toward PATP, I 70, I 76
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
7
232.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
241.2 mi into trip|~4h 41m 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...
6
246.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.92 one way
$81.83 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$44.81
$89.63
premium
$4.93
$47.86
$95.73
diesel
$5.61
$54.49
$108.98
Estimated Tolls: $25.56
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(196.6 mi)$25.56
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
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 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
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.80
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 18, 2026
Origin
Collier, PA
Afternoon
in Collier on Sunday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
2:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
21 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 51m 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
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 170.2
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 68.1
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 8.5
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 212.7
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 85.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll experience long stretches of high-speed travel, including a significant 196.6-mile segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Mon/Fayette Expressway and Pleasant Valley Road will also contribute to the predominantly fast-paced nature of this trip. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance efficiently, with minimal exposure to slower, local roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.6 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Mon/Fayette Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 246.8 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 35.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Collier, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Ephrata.
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 4h 51m. Total distance: 246.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m 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 196.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.56 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 35.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
