Traveling from Paupack to Reading covers 111.2 miles of Northeastern Pennsylvania, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The path connects the scenic Northeast region to the heart of the state, utilizing a combination of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Keystone Shortway, and PA 903. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a balanced pace that avoids the exhaustion of a multi-day trek.
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
55.6 miles from Paupack, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
25
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
26
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
30
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
31
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
32
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
35
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
36
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
37
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
38
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
39
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
40
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
41
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
43
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
44
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.9 mi·3 min·Allentown Pike
45
Continue on US 222 BUS
5.0 mi·8 min·North 5th Street Highway
Use the straight lane.
46
Continue on US 222 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·South 5th Street
47
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.1 mi·16 sec·Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
48
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
49
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
50
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2 hour and 40 minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though checking for heavy traffic on the turnpike sections is always a smart move. Keep your fuel budget of $18 in mind when planning your fill-ups, as prices can vary between the quieter stretches and the busier turnpike corridors. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between PA 903 and the Keystone Shortway before you head out. By keeping your pace steady and taking that single planned break, you will find the transition between Paupack and Reading to be a smooth and predictable experience.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 55.6 miles from Paupack, PA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.4 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 24 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 9m
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 Paupack, 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 Paupack, PA
This is one driving day of about 111.2 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Paupack, 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 Northeast Extension for about 29.4 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.1 and 110.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
31.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1A
Toward I 80 West: Hazleton
7
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the ramp toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP South, I 476 South: Allentown
6
80 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
83.7 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
7
110.9 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.44 one way
$36.87 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.19
$40.38
premium
$4.93
$21.57
$43.13
diesel
$5.61
$24.55
$49.10
Estimated Tolls: $3.90
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(29.4 mi)$3.82
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$18
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Paupack, PA
Evening
in Paupack on Sunday
Local time
7:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Evening
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% 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
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
2h 40m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 107.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed profile, alternating between efficient highway stretches and more localized road segments. With a 54% highway share, you will experience a blend of high-speed cruising and slower, more deliberate driving. The longest uninterrupted portion occurs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, where you will cover a 29.4-mile stretch of consistent driving. You should anticipate the character of the road to shift as you transition from the regional thoroughfares to the major turnpikes. It is a functional drive that requires your attention as the road surface and traffic density fluctuate throughout the 111.2-mile distance.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 31.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 30 significant decision points across 111.2 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 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,928 ft253 ft
Total Climb
789 ft
Total Descent
2,100 ft
Highest Point
1,928 ft
~23.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,675 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paupack, PA and Reading, PA, road signs point toward Lake Wallenpaupack, Blakeslee, Patp South and Harrisburg.
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 2h 40m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.90 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.
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 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 50.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Reading, PA before heading back.
