Origin
Northumberland, PA
Morning in Northumberland on Tuesday
Local time
11:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northumberland, PA to Reading, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
79.1 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northumberland, PA
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Northumberland to Reading, Pennsylvania, covers approximately 79.1 miles and takes about 1 hour and 44 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $13. You'll primarily navigate via State Route 54 and Center Avenue, with a portion on Pottsville Pike. The route offers a local feel, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Given that both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you won't be crossing significant geographical or regional boundaries on this particular trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Northumberland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Pottsville Pike | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| State Street | 10 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Centre Street | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Gordon Nagle Trail | 4 mi | 6m |
| Centre Avenue | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 54
— 11.1 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northumberland, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on 3rd Street
73 ft
·
8 sec
·
3rd Street
2
Turn left onto King Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
King Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street
55 ft
·
7 sec
·
2nd Street
4
Turn left onto King Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
King Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 11
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
King Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 405
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Avenue
7
Continue on PA 405
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
PA 405
8
Turn left onto PA 61
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Market Street
9
Continue on PA 61
10 mi
·
11 min
·
State Street
10
Turn left onto PA 487
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
PA 487
11
Turn right onto PA 54
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
12
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
13
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
14
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
15
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
16
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
17
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
18
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
19
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
20
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
21
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
22
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
24
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
25
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
32
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
33
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under two hours, this 79.1-mile trip from Northumberland to Reading offers great flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Reading by lunchtime, or even head out in the afternoon. Since there are no designated stops in the data, consider planning a brief pause around the halfway point if needed, perhaps after completing the 11.1-mile stretch on State Route 54. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $13 for the trip, and be prepared for the turn-heavy nature of the route as you approach Reading.
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 39.6 miles from Northumberland, PA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 49m 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 27m
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 Northumberland, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Northumberland, PA
This is one driving day of about 79.1 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Northumberland, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Route 54 for about 11.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Northumberland, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79 — 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
|
King Street
Turn left onto King Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
King Street
Turn left onto King Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 11 / King Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 11 / King Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
79 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.11 one way
$26.23 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $14.36 | $28.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $15.34 | $30.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.46 | $34.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.31 | $3.80 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
11:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College 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
27 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 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 79.1-mile drive from Northumberland to Reading presents a turn-heavy local experience, with only 19% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time on State Route 54, Center Avenue, and Pottsville Pike, encountering more frequent intersections and changes in speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 11.1 miles on State Route 54. Expect a dynamic drive that requires your attention as you navigate through various local roads and communities.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.1 mi on State Route 54.
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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near King Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 79.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 (King Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (2nd Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (King Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Reading, PA
Full guide →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.
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 79.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.1 miles on State Route 54. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (King Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (2nd Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (King Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Reading, PA before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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