South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Nanty Glo, PA to Reading, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
211.5 mi
340 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nanty Glo, PA
Kai
Reading, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Nanty Glo to Reading is 211.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-99, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Expect a relatively quick transit with minimal fuss, focusing on covering distance efficiently.
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
105.7 miles from Nanty Glo, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 141.3 mi | 2h 33m |
| I 99 | 27.2 mi | 29m |
| William Penn Highway | 16.8 mi | 19m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| US 222 | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| US 222 BUS | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Shoemaker Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| William Penn Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
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
~1,140 veh/hr typical · worst 1,371
Quietest
1 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Nanty Glo, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Chestnut Street
60 ft
·
4 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn right onto School Street
168 ft
·
9 sec
·
School Street
3
Turn right onto Dispatch Street
189 ft
·
10 sec
·
Dispatch Street
4
Turn right onto 2nd Street
178 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Street
5
Turn left onto PA 271
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Chestnut Street
6
Continue on PA 271
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Shoemaker Street
7
Continue on PA 271
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
William Penn Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 22 East: Ebensburg
9
Merge onto US 22
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 22
17 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Bedford
13
Merge onto I 99; US 220
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 99; US 220
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
15
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft
·
8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
16
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Business 220
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
19
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
141 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
22
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
24
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 222
25
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 222
26
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Franklin Street
29
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
30
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
31
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a $35 fuel estimate, this is easily a same-day trip. The longest stretch without significant exits is over 140 miles, so make sure you're fueled up before you begin that segment. The transition from highway to surface roads happens later in the drive, so pay attention to changing speed limits and traffic patterns as you approach Reading.
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 105.7 miles from Nanty Glo, PA, or about 2h 3m 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 16m
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 Nanty Glo, 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 Nanty Glo, PA
This is one driving day of about 211.5 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Nanty Glo, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.7 miles from Nanty Glo, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Indian Echo Caverns
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17175668131
Visit websiteGibraltar Park
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 26.6 and 205.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
26.6 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
197.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m 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
6
198.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
205.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
$33.72 one way
$67.45 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $37.32 | $74.64 |
| premium | $4.81 | $40.04 | $80.07 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.94 | $79.87 |
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
$34
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.21 | $10.15 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.51 | $8.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Nanty Glo, PA
Morning in Nanty Glo on Monday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 to 13 mph
89% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:39PM EDT until July 18 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:37PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Monday
Local time
7:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 to 10 mph
61% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:39PM EDT until July 18 at 7:45PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:37PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
6 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
4h 5m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 138.6
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 7.3
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 175
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 51
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 85% of this 211.5-mile drive on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on these highways is 141.3 miles, largely on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After this significant highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Be prepared for a noticeable shift in pace and exit density as you move from high-speed cruising to more local travel.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 26.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 211.5 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 26.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,014 ft
253 ft
Total Climb
1,399 ft
Total Descent
2,899 ft
Highest Point
2,014 ft
~15.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,761 ft
Notable High Points
1,805 ft at ~75.5 miles
+638 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nanty Glo, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Bedford, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Ephrata.
Bedford
26.1 mi in
|
~34m
Pittsburgh
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Harrisburg
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Patp: Pittsburgh
55.4 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Ephrata
197.3 mi in
|
~3h 42m
About the Cities
Starting in Nanty Glo, PA
Full guide →Arriving in Reading, PA
Full guide →Founded 1748
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
- • Skew Arch Bridge
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 211.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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