Spanning 120.2 miles of Pennsylvania backroads, this journey from Guilford Siding to Reading takes approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it functions best as a focused, one-day excursion rather than a multi-day trek. You should budget roughly $20 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains consistent across the Northeast region. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you have the flexibility to power through the drive or pause as needed. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer navigating local roads over the monotony of an interstate. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, knowing that this is a non-highway route helps you set realistic expectations for your travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Guilford Siding, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
60 mi
1h 4m
I 81
31.1 mi
36m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
Harrisburg Pike
2.1 mi
4m
Wayne Road
1.9 mi
3m
Guilford Station Road
1.3 mi
4m
Walnut Bottom Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 60 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford Siding, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Church Road
91 ft·11 sec·Church Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Guilford Station Road
1.3 mi·4 min·Guilford Station Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto New Franklin Road
0.6 mi·1 min·New Franklin Road
4
Turn right onto PA 316
1.9 mi·3 min·Wayne Road
5
Continue on PA 316
0.1 mi·9 sec·Wayne Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
31 mi·36 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 45Toward College StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto Walnut Bottom Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Walnut Bottom Road
10
Turn left onto South West Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South West Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto West North Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·West North Street
12
Turn left onto US 11; PA 34
0.8 mi·1 min·North Hanover Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 11
2.1 mi·4 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATPUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 76; PATP
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
21
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
22
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
23
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.
24
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
26
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though starting in the morning will help you avoid afternoon fatigue on these winding local roads. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your average speed will be lower than a typical interstate drive, so plan your arrival accordingly. With a fuel budget of $20, it is wise to fill up before you leave Guilford Siding to ensure you don't have to hunt for a station along the local stretches. A key tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant at intersections, as the transition between Guilford Station Road, New Franklin Road, and Wayne Road requires frequent turns that are easy to miss if you aren't watching your navigation closely.
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 57.8 miles from Guilford Siding, PA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 18m 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 57m
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 Guilford Siding, 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 Guilford Siding, PA
This is one driving day of about 115.6 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Guilford Siding, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 60 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.3 and 110 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
35.3 mi into trip|~46m in
Take the exit toward College Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 45
Toward College Street
6
37.4 mi into trip|~51m in|US 11; PA 34 / North Hanover Street
Turn left onto US 11; PA 34 / North Hanover Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
40.8 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
7
101.4 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
7
110 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
$19.17 one way
$38.33 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.99
$41.98
premium
$4.93
$22.42
$44.84
diesel
$5.61
$25.52
$51.05
Estimated Tolls: $7.81
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(60 mi)$7.81
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
$19
Tolls
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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
Guilford Siding, PA
Late night
in Guilford Siding on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 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
2 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 27m 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.
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 79.7
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With 0% of the trip spent on highways, you will navigate exclusively via Guilford Station Road, New Franklin Road, and Wayne Road. The road's personality is defined by these technical, winding segments rather than high-speed cruising. Because the route consists entirely of local roads, you won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of straight pavement. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the landscape transitions through the regional character of Pennsylvania at a steady, manageable pace.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.3 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 20 significant decision points across 115.6 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 35.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 11; PA 34 / North Hanover Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Guilford Siding, 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 2h 27m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.81 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 11; PA 34 / North Hanover Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument 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.
