Spanning 126.7 miles, this route from Lamar to Reading is a straightforward 2-hour and 35-minute journey through the heart of Pennsylvania. Because it is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $21 for fuel, keeping the trip quite affordable. You will transition through the Northeast region, moving from the more rural landscape of Lamar into the urban surroundings of Reading. This drive is ideal for those who prefer a mix of local roads over long, monotonous highway stretches. It serves as a practical connection for travelers looking for a balanced, day-long excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.4 miles from Lamar, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
50.3 mi
54m
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
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 50.3 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lamar, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Bletz Road
116 ft·12 sec·Bletz Road
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 64
1.1 mi·2 min·Nittany Valley Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
4
Merge onto I 80; US 220
50 mi·54 min·Keystone Shortway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
6
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
7
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
9
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
10
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
12
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
13
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
14
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
15
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
16
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
17
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
18
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
19
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
20
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
21
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
23
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
24
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
31
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 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 turn-heavy nature of this 2-hour and 35-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, flexibility is your greatest asset; you can easily adjust your pace without the pressure of a strict highway schedule. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure the navigation through local sections remains smooth. Before you head out, confirm your fuel levels, as the $21 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your specific vehicle and driving habits. Keep a close eye on your GPS while navigating the turns on State Route 54 to stay on track.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Lamar, PA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.3 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.4 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 2h 4m
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 Lamar, 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 Lamar, PA
This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Lamar, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 50.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Lamar, 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 126.7
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 0 and 126.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 64 / Nittany Valley Drive
Turn sharp left onto PA 64 / Nittany Valley Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
51.9 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
52.1 mi into trip|~58m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.01 one way
$42.01 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.01
$46.01
premium
$4.93
$24.57
$49.14
diesel
$5.61
$27.97
$55.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
EV Truck/SUV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lamar, PA
Afternoon
in Lamar on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
42°F
East Franklin, PA
63 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
9 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
2h 35m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 91.8
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 9% of this 126.7-mile trip is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating state routes and local roads like Center Avenue. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 50.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, which provides a brief reprieve before you return to more technical driving. As you progress through State Route 54, the road character shifts from open transit to more localized navigation. This route is far from a standard interstate grind, offering a more hands-on experience for drivers who enjoy winding paths.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
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 early in the drive near PA 64 / Nittany Valley Drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 126.7 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: near the start (PA 64 / Nittany Valley Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.1 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): 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.
On the drive from Lamar, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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 35m. Total distance: 126.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 64 / Nittany Valley Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.1 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.
