This 142.7-mile drive from North Towanda, PA to Reading, PA takes approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll be traveling within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania for the entirety of this journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $24, this route offers a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway or a convenient transit. The drive is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a varied experience rather than a monotonous stretch. Consider this a straightforward trip perfect for when you want to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
71.3 miles from North Towanda, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 220
36.4 mi
41m
PA 42
15.3 mi
22m
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
Longest stretch:
US 220
— 36.4 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Towanda, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on this road
155 ft·16 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·24 sec·Reuter Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Patterson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Patterson Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
5
Merge onto US 220
3.2 mi·4 min·Towanda Bypass
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 220
36 mi·41 min·US 220
7
Continue on PA 42
4.5 mi·6 min·PA 42
8
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 42
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 42
9
Turn slight right onto PA 42
265 ft·9 sec·PA 42
10
Continue on PA 118; PA 42
0.3 mi·29 sec·PA 118; PA 42
11
Turn right onto PA 42
7.8 mi·11 min·PA 42
12
At end of road, turn left onto PA 42
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 42
13
Continue on PA 42
0.6 mi·59 sec·North State Street
14
Turn right onto PA 254
1.7 mi·3 min·Rohrsburg Road
15
Continue on PA 254
1.8 mi·3 min·Jerseytown Road
16
Turn left onto PA 44; PA 642
1.1 mi·1 min·Danville Road
17
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 642
1.3 mi·2 min·Danville Road
18
Continue on PA 642
5.8 mi·10 min·Jerseytown Road
19
Turn left onto PA 54
1.7 mi·2 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
21
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
22
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
24
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
25
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
26
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
27
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
28
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
29
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
30
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
31
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
32
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
33
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
35
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
36
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
41
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
43
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
44
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
45
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
46
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour duration, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best, though an early start can help you avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, it’s easy to plan your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as the longest uninterrupted stretch is 36.4 miles on US 220; ensure you're topped up before heading into that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so factor that into your budget. This route is straightforward enough that you likely won't need to overthink stop locations.
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 71.3 miles from North Towanda, PA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.4 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m
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 North Towanda, 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 North Towanda, PA
This is one driving day of about 142.7 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from North Towanda, 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 US 220 for about 36.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 71.3 miles from North Towanda, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Gibraltar 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 142.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Patterson Boulevard
Turn right onto Patterson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
56.1 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|PA 42 / State Route 42
At end of road, turn left onto PA 42 / State Route 42
Navigation decision point
5
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn left onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Turn left onto PA 54 / Elysburg Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
142.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.66 one way
$47.32 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.91
$51.82
premium
$4.93
$27.67
$55.35
diesel
$5.61
$31.51
$63.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.98
$6.85
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
EV Truck/SUV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 17, 2026
Origin
North Towanda, PA
Morning
in North Towanda on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 10 to 15 mph62% 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
4 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
3h 9m 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 108.2
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 drive from North Towanda to Reading features a 45% highway share, indicating a blend of faster-paced sections and more local road navigation. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 36.4 miles on US 220, offering a sustained period of travel before potential transitions. The 'Mixed drive' profile means you can expect a dynamic journey where the road conditions and speed may change, keeping you engaged behind the wheel. This isn't a constant interstate crawl, nor is it exclusively winding country lanes; it's a practical combination suited for efficient travel.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36.4 mi on US 220.
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 0.2 miles in near Patterson Boulevard.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 142.7 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 0.2 miles (Patterson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles (PA 42 / State Route 42): Navigation decision point; at 69.3 miles (PA 54 / Continental Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 9m. Total distance: 142.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.4 miles on US 220. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Patterson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles (PA 42 / State Route 42): Navigation decision point; at 69.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
