Kittanning, PA to Reading, PA is 256.4 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing Pennsylvania. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With a recommended one-day drive, you can reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, allowing for more flexibility in your schedule.
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
128.2 miles from Kittanning, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
141.3 mi
2h 33m
I 99
27.2 mi
29m
US 422
24.7 mi
31m
Indiana Road
19.5 mi
26m
William Penn Highway
16.4 mi
19m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
6.2 mi
9m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 141.3 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-99
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,386
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kittanning, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on North Jefferson Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·North Jefferson Street
2
Turn right onto Market Street
411 ft·18 sec·Market Street
3
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·South Water Street
4
Turn left onto US 422 Business
20 mi·26 min·Indiana Road
5
Continue on US 422; PA 56
6.2 mi·7 min·US 422; PA 56
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 422; PA 286 Truck
18 mi·23 min·US 422; PA 286 Truck
7
Continue on US 422; PA 271
6.2 mi·9 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
8
Continue on US 422
1.6 mi·2 min·Ben Franklin Highway
9
Continue on West High Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West High Street
10
Turn slight right onto Rowena Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Rowena Drive
11
Merge onto Admiral Peary Highway
0.2 mi·28 sec·Admiral Peary Highway
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
12
Turn left
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 22 East: HollidaysburgUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
16 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi·29 min·I 99; US 220
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
18
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
19
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
22
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
141 mi·2 hr 33 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
27
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
28
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
29
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.
30
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
32
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
34
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Reading with plenty of daylight. The single recommended stop is likely sufficient for a break given the overall duration. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $42, and it's always wise to top off before extended highway stretches. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly if needed, perhaps leaving a bit later if you have morning obligations. A good tip is to familiarize yourself with the transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to I-99, as this is a significant portion of your drive.
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 128.2 miles from Kittanning, PA, or about 2h 40m 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 56 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.2 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Kittanning, 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 Kittanning, PA
This is one driving day of about 256.4 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Kittanning, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.4 and 250.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
54.4 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Turn left toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 22 East: Hollidaysburg
6
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
100.5 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
242.3 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
250.8 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$45.12 one way
$90.24 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$49.34
$98.68
premium
$5.23
$52.75
$105.51
diesel
$6.18
$62.37
$124.75
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
$45
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
EV Truck/SUV
102.6
1
$35.90
$16.41
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Kittanning, PA
Morning
in Kittanning on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 7 to 12 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Sunny
N 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
128 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
2 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
5h 6m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 176.8
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 53.1
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 221
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 97.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 80% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on interstates and turnpikes. The longest continuous stretch on this route is 141.3 miles, primarily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to other main roads. Be prepared for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate these major roadways, especially on the I-99 and US 422 portions.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 54.4 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 22 significant decision points across 256.4 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 54.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,004 ft253 ft
Total Climb
1,869 ft
Total Descent
2,407 ft
Highest Point
2,004 ft
~55.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,752 ft
Notable High Points
2,004 ft at ~55.4 miles+709 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kittanning, 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.
Top landmarks
•Frederick Lauer Monument — monument in City Park, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 256.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). 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.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 54.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.5 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Reading, PA before the return drive.
