Paint, PA to Reading, PA is 184.3 miles and takes about 3h 38m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward connection. With 85% of the drive on the highway, expect a relatively efficient transit. If you're looking for a direct, no-fuss route between these two points, this option covers the distance quickly. The recommended single day for this trip means you can get there and back, or continue on to your next destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
92.1 miles from Paint, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
141.3 mi
2h 33m
Quaker Valley Road
14.2 mi
20m
Clear Shade Drive
10.4 mi
14m
US 222
7.4 mi
9m
US 222 BUS
4.9 mi
8m
I 99
2.2 mi
2m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.7 mi
1m
South 5th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 141.3 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paint, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 56
10 mi·14 min·Clear Shade Drive
2
Continue on PA 56
14 mi·20 min·Quaker Valley Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
4
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.2 mi·2 min·I 99; US 220
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
6
Keep slight right at fork
284 ft·8 sec
Toward US 220 Business South: Bedford
7
Turn slight right onto US 220 BUS
0.2 mi·26 sec·Business 220
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
141 mi·2 hr 33 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, EphrataUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Colonel Howard Boulevard
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.1 mi·15 sec·Colonel Howard Boulevard
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
15
Merge onto US 222
3.3 mi·3 min·US 222
16
Continue on US 222
4.1 mi·5 min·US 222
17
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.
18
Turn left onto US 222 BUS
0.4 mi·47 sec·South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
20
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 38m estimated drive time and a $30 fuel cost, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You could realistically depart in the morning and arrive in Reading by midday. The longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is over 141 miles, so plan for your fuel and rest stop before or after this segment to break up the drive. Consider leaving early to maximize your time in Reading or to avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since this is a manageable distance, you have flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 92.1 miles from Paint, PA, or about 1h 50m 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.1 miles or 1h 50m 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 55m
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 Paint, 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 Paint, PA
This is one driving day of about 184.3 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Paint, 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.
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 28.4 and 184.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.4 mi into trip|~41m 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
170.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
171 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
178.7 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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...
6
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.07 one way
$60.14 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$33.07
$66.13
premium
$4.86
$35.29
$70.57
diesel
$5.40
$39.20
$78.41
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
$30
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Travelers' Oasis - Tesla Supercharger
BREEZEWOOD, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Giant - Tesla Supercharger
Harrisburg, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Dunkn' Middletown
Middletown, PA
NAYAX_ENERGY
12 DCFC
Sheetz - Tesla Supercharger
Breezewood, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Sunoco - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Littleton, PA
Tesla
8 DCFC
McKinney Station Ice Cream and Farm Market - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.85
Efficient EV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
EV Truck/SUV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.80
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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 26, 2026
Origin
Paint, PA
Morning
in Paint on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 10 mph0% 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 38m 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.
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...
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...
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 152.5
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 85% of the 184.3 miles spent on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike. You'll experience a long stretch of 141.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, indicating a consistent cruising experience for a significant portion of the drive. The remaining distance will be on Quaker Valley Road and Clear Shade Drive, suggesting a transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a noticeable change in pace and potentially more frequent intersections once you leave the main turnpike.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Quaker Valley Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 184.3 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 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paint, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Patp: Pittsburgh and Ephrata.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 184.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m 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 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
