This 73.4-mile drive from Middleburg, PA to Reading, PA takes approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll be traveling through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania for the entirety of your journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $12, making it an economical option. The route offers a mixed driving experience, so you can expect a variety of road types. With no specific stops recommended, this drive is straightforward and efficient, perfect for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.7 miles from Middleburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 43m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
9
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
10
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
14
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
15
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
16
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
19
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
20
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
21
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
22
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
23
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
24
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
25
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
27
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
28
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Allentown Pike
29
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi·8 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·South 5th Street
31
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
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 relatively short duration of 1 hour and 39 minutes, this route from Middleburg to Reading offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps leaving mid-morning to avoid peak commuter times. There are no mandatory stops, but consider taking a break around the halfway point if you feel the need, especially during the 37.1-mile stretch on the Turnpike. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is only $12, it's always wise to start with a full tank. The varied road types mean you should be prepared to adjust your speed as you transition between highway and local roads.
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 36.7 miles from Middleburg, PA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.1 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 43m 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 20m
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 Middleburg, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Middleburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 73.4 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Middleburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 37.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 73.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 476 South: Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 South: Allentown
6
42.2 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
45.9 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
6
54.8 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|US 222
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.17 one way
$24.34 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.33
$26.66
premium
$4.93
$14.23
$28.47
diesel
$5.61
$16.21
$32.41
Estimated Tolls: $4.91
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(37.1 mi)$4.83
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.42
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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 18, 2026
Origin
Middleburg, PA
Morning
in Middleburg on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive 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
35 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
1h 39m 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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 68.3
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?
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 59% of the route being highway driving. You'll encounter sections on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Allentown Pike, and US 222. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 37.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a good opportunity for steady progress. This means you'll likely experience periods of faster travel interspersed with more local road conditions as you approach your destination in Reading.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 miles you will encounter 19 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 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Middleburg, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Harrisburg along the way.
Harrisburg
42.2 mi in|~49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 73.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $4.91 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 42.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
