Origin
Emerald Lakes, PA
Morning in Emerald Lakes on Tuesday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Emerald Lakes, PA to Reading, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
77.3 mi
124 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Emerald Lakes, PA
Tomáš Malík
Trip Overview
Emerald Lakes, PA to Reading, PA is 77.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and PA 903, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a straightforward connection between two points. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, this route is easily manageable for a single day. It's a practical choice for those looking to move between these areas without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.6 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 29.4 mi | 32m |
| Long Pond Road | 7.8 mi | 16m |
| PA 903 | 7.2 mi | 11m |
| Allentown Pike | 6 mi | 10m |
| US 222 | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Kutztown Road | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| North 5th Street Highway | 5 mi | 8m |
| Schantz Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 29.4 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emerald Lakes, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Clearview Drive
12 ft
·
2 sec
·
Clearview Drive
2
Turn right onto Emerald Boulevard
434 ft
·
25 sec
·
Emerald Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn left onto Long Pond Road
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Long Pond Road
4
Continue on Long Pond Road
4.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Long Pond Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto PA 115
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
PA 115
6
Turn left onto PA 903
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
PA 903
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 476; PATP
29 mi
·
32 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
10
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lehigh Valley Thruway
11
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
William Penn Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Schantz Road
15
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Hamilton Boulevard
16
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hamilton Boulevard
17
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Kutztown Road
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft
·
1 sec
·
Allentown Pike
20
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Allentown Pike
21
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Kutztown Road
22
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Allentown Pike
23
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft
·
4 sec
·
Allentown Pike
24
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Allentown Pike
25
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft
·
5 sec
·
Allentown Pike
26
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Kutztown Road
28
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Allentown Pike
29
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Allentown Pike
30
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South 5th Street
32
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour 52 minute drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic if you're departing from a more populated area near Emerald Lakes. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need extensive rest stops, but it's wise to top off your fuel before you leave, as the $13 estimate is just that – an estimate. The longest stretch on the Turnpike is nearly 30 miles, so be prepared for that continuous highway segment before you get onto the surface roads. This flexibility means you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 38.6 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA, or about 54m 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 17 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.6 miles or 54m 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 33m
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 Emerald Lakes, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Emerald Lakes, PA
This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Emerald Lakes, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 9.2 and 77 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
PA 903
Turn left onto PA 903
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
16.4 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
46.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
49.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m 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
77 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
$12.82 one way
$25.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.04 | $28.07 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.99 | $29.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.07 | $34.13 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.90
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(29.4 mi)
$3.82
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
$13
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.12 | $3.71 |
| Efficient EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.82 | $4.95 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
8:04 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
14 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
1h 52m 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,...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$10
Park Closure: Routine Winter Service Levels in Effect
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 72
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 57% highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch being 29.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. You'll transition from this high-speed corridor to surface roads like Long Pond Road and PA 903, which will feel more like local cruising. Expect a mix of faster travel and slower sections as you navigate through different types of terrain.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 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?
7/10
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 9.2 miles in near PA 903.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles (PA 903): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,014 ft
253 ft
Total Climb
337 ft
Total Descent
2,099 ft
Highest Point
2,014 ft
Elevation Range
1,762 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Emerald Lakes, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp South and Harrisburg.
Patp South
16.4 mi in
|
~30m
Harrisburg
46.1 mi in
|
~1h 3m
About the Cities
Arriving in Reading, PA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 77.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). 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 29.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.90 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.2 miles (PA 903): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.1 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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