If you are planning to travel from Orchard Hills to Reading, prepare for a 258.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Because this route stays entirely within Pennsylvania and covers a manageable distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will want to keep your schedule flexible. It is a straightforward trip between two Northeast locations, ideal for those who prefer backroad driving over high-speed transit.
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
128.3 miles from Orchard Hills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212.3 mi
3h 52m
State Route 66
14.4 mi
23m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.2 mi
13m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
1st Street
2.2 mi
3m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
I 70
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.3 mi, about 3h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orchard Hills, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Florida Avenue
81 ft·7 sec·Florida Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 56
2.2 mi·3 min·1st Street
3
Continue on PA 66
2.3 mi·3 min·State Route 66
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
12 mi·19 min·State Route 66
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on PA Tpke 66
12 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 0BToward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·30 sec
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 70
0.2 mi·22 sec·I 70
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
0.4 mi·1 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
11
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
212 mi·3 hr 52 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
16
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
17
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
18
Take the exit onto US 222 BUS
4.9 mi·8 min·US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, ShillingtonUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
21
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan your departure early in the day to navigate these technical local roads in daylight. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on how you feel during the 4-hour and 12-minute transit. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for changing speed limits as you transition between 1st Street, State Route 66, and Amos K. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling points, as local roads may have fewer service options than major highways. Since this is a one-day trip, prioritize a comfortable seat and a good playlist to keep you refreshed through the constant steering required on this local path.
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 128.3 miles from Orchard Hills, PA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.3 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 56 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
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 Orchard Hills, 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 Orchard Hills, PA
This is one driving day of about 256.7 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Orchard Hills, 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 212.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 251.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in|PA 66 / State Route 66
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66 / State Route 66
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
28.8 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 0B
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
8
29.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh
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 I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pitts...
7
242.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
7
251.1 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$42.56 one way
$85.12 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.61
$93.22
premium
$4.93
$49.78
$99.57
diesel
$5.61
$56.68
$113.35
Estimated Tolls: $28.45
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(212.3 mi)$27.60
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.2 mi)$0.85
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
$43
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77
0
$26.95
$12.32
Efficient EV
64.2
0
$22.46
$10.27
EV Truck/SUV
102.7
1
$35.94
$16.43
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Orchard Hills, PA
Late night
in Orchard Hills on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
128 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
16 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
4h 58m 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...
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 70.8
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 221.3
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 44.3
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 97.4
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 rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via 1st Street, State Route 66, and Amos K, which keeps the experience grounded in local transit. Because the road is characterized by frequent turns, you will find yourself constantly engaged behind the wheel. The absence of long, uninterrupted interstate stretches means your pace will be dictated by the curves and local conditions of these secondary roads. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention compared to a standard freeway commute.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and State Route 66. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near PA 66 / State Route 66.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 256.7 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 4.5 miles (PA 66 / State Route 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.4 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
2,540 ft253 ft
Total Climb
1,868 ft
Total Descent
2,756 ft
Highest Point
2,540 ft
~55 mi in
Elevation Range
2,287 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Orchard Hills, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Patp: New Stanton, Patp: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ephrata.
Patp: New Stanton
28.8 mi in|~39m
Patp: Harrisburg
29.4 mi in|~41m
Pittsburgh
29.4 mi in|~41m
Ephrata
242.5 mi in|~4h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 256.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.45 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.
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 4.5 miles (PA 66 / State Route 66): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.4 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, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
