Traveling from Hastings to Reading covers 217 miles across the heart of Pennsylvania. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes, making this a manageable journey that fits well into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $36, it is an economical choice for those heading across the Northeast region. While you could easily complete the trip in one go, you might consider a single strategic stop to break up the monotony. This route relies heavily on major infrastructure, ensuring a straightforward transit between the two cities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a visit, the trip is direct, predictable, and simple to navigate.
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
108.5 miles from Hastings, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
141.3 mi
2h 33m
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
William Penn Highway
16.4 mi
19m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
Plank Road
4.9 mi
6m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
North Center Street
3.1 mi
4m
Tower Road
2.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 141.3 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hastings, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on 4th Avenue
318 ft·15 sec·4th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Coleman Street
373 ft·18 sec·Coleman Street
3
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.1 mi·40 sec·3rd Avenue
4
Turn left onto Spangler Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Spangler Street
5
Continue on State Route 4021
0.2 mi·38 sec·State Route 4021
6
Turn left
460 ft·12 sec
7
Continue on Tower Road
2.8 mi·6 min·Tower Road
8
Turn right onto Sunset Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Sunset Road
9
Continue on US 219
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
10
Continue on US 219
3.1 mi·3 min·Plank Road
11
Continue on US 219
1.9 mi·2 min·Plank Road
12
Continue on North Center Street
3.1 mi·4 min·North Center Street
13
Turn left onto East High Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·East High Street
14
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
15
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi·28 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
16
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 22 East: HollidaysburgUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
18
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
20
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
21
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
22
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
23
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
26
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
141 mi·2 hr 33 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
29
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
31
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
32
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
33
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.
34
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
36
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
37
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
38
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic patterns that often impact major interstate corridors. Since you have 4 hours and 16 minutes of road time, plan for your one recommended stop roughly halfway through to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longest 141.3-mile segment on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where service plazas are your primary options. Because the route is highway-dominant, flexibility is on your side; if you find yourself ahead of schedule, you can easily adjust your pace to arrive in Reading at a comfortable time. Prioritize steady driving to ensure your $36 fuel budget remains accurate throughout the trip.
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 108.5 miles from Hastings, PA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.3 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 48 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 27m
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 Hastings, 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 Hastings, PA
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Hastings, 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 141.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 211.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.9 mi into trip|~26m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
32.1 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
7
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
211.3 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
$35.98 one way
$71.95 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.40
$78.80
premium
$4.93
$42.08
$84.17
diesel
$5.61
$47.91
$95.82
Estimated Tolls: $18.37
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(141.3 mi)$18.37
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
$36
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Hastings, PA
Afternoon
in Hastings on Tuesday
Local time
12:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
12:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Hancock, MD
109 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
5 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 16m 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 142.1
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...
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 179.5
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...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 83% of this 217-mile trek takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 141.3-mile stretch of the journey. The remainder of your path utilizes I-99 and the William Penn Highway to bridge the gaps. Because this is a high-speed transit route, the drive feels efficient rather than leisurely. You can anticipate a consistent rhythm behind the wheel, as the infrastructure is designed for steady movement across the state.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.3 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 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.9 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 25 significant decision points across 217 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 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Hastings, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh 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 16m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.37 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 14.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 61.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
