Jackson, PA to Reading, PA is 94 miles and takes about 2h 15m via State Route 54 and Pottsville Pike, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a journey that's more about navigating local roads than cruising on highways, with a relatively short travel time that makes it ideal for a single-day trip. It's a straightforward connection, offering a direct path between your starting and ending points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47 miles from Jackson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
Jerseytown Road
7.6 mi
13m
Rohrsburg Road
4.7 mi
8m
Eagle Road
4.5 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
State Route 54
— 11.1 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Derrs Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Derrs Road
2
Continue on Eagle Road
4.5 mi·10 min·Eagle Road
3
Turn right onto PA 254
3.0 mi·5 min·Rohrsburg Road
4
Continue on PA 254
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
5
Continue on PA 254
1.7 mi·3 min·Rohrsburg Road
6
Continue on PA 254
1.8 mi·3 min·Jerseytown Road
7
Turn left onto PA 44; PA 642
1.1 mi·1 min·Danville Road
8
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 642
1.3 mi·2 min·Danville Road
9
Continue on PA 642
5.8 mi·10 min·Jerseytown Road
10
Turn left onto PA 54
1.7 mi·2 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
12
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
13
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
15
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
16
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
17
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
18
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
19
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
20
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
21
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
22
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
23
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
24
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
26
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
27
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
34
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
35
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 15m duration and 94-mile distance, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Reading. With a fuel cost estimated around $16, it’s wise to fill up before you leave Jackson, as opportunities for fuel stops might be less frequent on the local road segments. Since the longest stretch is just over 11 miles, you can easily break up the drive with brief pauses if needed, though no specific stops are noted.
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 47 miles from Jackson, PA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 21 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 1h 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 1h 52m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, PA
This is one driving day of about 94 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Jackson, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 54 for about 11.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 47 miles from Jackson, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Gibraltar Park
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
mile 94
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 93.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5 mi into trip|~12m in|PA 254 / Rohrsburg Road
Turn right onto PA 254 / Rohrsburg Road
Navigation decision point
4
12.5 mi into trip|~25m in|PA 44; PA 642 / Danville Road
Turn left onto PA 44; PA 642 / Danville Road
Navigation decision point
5
20.7 mi into trip|~40m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
22.8 mi into trip|~43m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
93.9 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.58 one way
$31.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.07
$34.14
premium
$4.93
$18.23
$36.46
diesel
$5.61
$20.75
$41.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.23
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.02
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Jackson, PA
Late night
in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
4:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
49°F
Tremont, PA
47 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
47 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 15m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 61.6
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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,' meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight cruise. With only 12% of the drive on highways, most of your time will be spent on State Route 54 and other local roads like Center Avenue and Pottsville Pike. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 11.1 miles on State Route 54, so be prepared for varying speeds and more frequent intersections. This driving personality means paying close attention to navigation and traffic conditions throughout the trip.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.1 mi on State Route 54.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in near PA 254 / Rohrsburg Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94 miles you will encounter 11 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 5 miles (PA 254 / Rohrsburg Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles (PA 44; PA 642 / Danville Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 94 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.1 miles on State Route 54. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 5 miles (PA 254 / Rohrsburg Road): Navigation decision point; at 12.5 miles (PA 44; PA 642 / Danville Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.7 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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.
