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Trip from Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 53m

Distance

255.3 mi

411 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 40m ★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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home rule municipality of Pennsylvania

Penn Hills, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 255.3-mile drive from Penn Hills, PA, to Reading, PA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 53 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $42. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making it a largely uninterrupted drive. This route stays within the Northeast region and within the state of Pennsylvania, offering a direct path without significant transitions in scenery or environment. Plan for a smooth, efficient trip where the main consideration is time and fuel.

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

127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 230.8 mi 4h 12m
US 222 7.4 mi 9m
US 222 BUS 4.9 mi 8m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 4.9 mi 6m
Verona Road 2.1 mi 5m
Beulah Road 1.2 mi 1m
Coal Hollow Road 1 mi 1m
Colonel Howard Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 230.8 mi, about 4h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Penn Hills, PA and Reading, PA.

1

Start on Sylvan Avenue

134 ft · 11 sec · Sylvan Avenue
2

Turn left onto Mount Avenue

519 ft · 25 sec · Mount Avenue
3

Turn right onto Verona Road

2.1 mi · 5 min · Verona Road
Use the left lane.
4

Turn left onto PA 130

1.0 mi · 1 min · Coal Hollow Road
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on PA 130

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Old Coal Hollow Road
6

Continue on PA 130

1.2 mi · 1 min · Beulah Road
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 376; US 22

4.9 mi · 6 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 85 Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
10

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · this road
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 76; PATP

231 mi · 4 hr 12 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
15

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
17

Merge onto US 222

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 222
18

Continue on US 222

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 222
19

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS

4.9 mi · 8 min · US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
21

Turn right onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
22

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
24

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 53-minute duration, setting out in the morning from Penn Hills is your best bet to arrive in Reading with ample daylight. With the longest stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike being 230.8 miles, plan your fuel stop strategically before you get deep into that segment. While this route is designed for a single day, its highway-focused nature means you can be flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the turnpike, as services can be spaced out. The $42 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting this efficient trip.

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 127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.8 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 9m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.7 miles or 2h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 56m

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 Penn 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 Penn Hills, PA

This is one driving day of about 255.3 miles and 4h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Penn 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 230.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

128 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

White, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.7 miles from Penn Hills, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 230.8 miles.

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.

Best meal stop · first break window

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Near the start, short detour

First break · 21min in 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

1.6 mi

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2 mi

Acapulco | Mexican Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17243824335

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Jimmy Wan's | Restaurant & Lounge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14129680848

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14128269680

Visit website

Eat'n Park

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+14122423700

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

China Garden Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17248634483

Visit website

Cenacolo Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17245155983

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Adamsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887174544

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Hunker, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18885577099

Visit website

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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 249.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Verona Road

Turn right onto Verona Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 85 Toward I 76, PATP: Ohio, Harrisburg
8
10.2 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
241.2 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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
249.7 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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

$42.33 one way

$84.65 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $46.36 $92.71
premium $4.93 $49.51 $99.02
diesel $5.61 $56.37 $112.73

Estimated Tolls: $30.01

Pennsylvania Turnpike (230.8 mi) $30.01

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

$42

Tolls

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$97–$122

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.6 0 $26.81 $12.25
Efficient EV 63.8 0 $22.34 $10.21
EV Truck/SUV 102.1 1 $35.74 $16.34

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% 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

Penn Hills, PA

Morning in Penn Hills on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°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

27 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 53m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 176.1
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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 ~16 min detour Free near mile 70.4
View on nps.gov
Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 220.1
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield

Fort Necessity National Battlefield

National Battlefield

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 44
View on nps.gov
Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

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 96.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 97% of the drive taking place on major roads. The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be your main companion for a significant stretch, covering 230.8 miles without interruption. This means you'll encounter fast-paced travel and minimal distractions for most of the journey. While the primary roads include US 222 and US 222 BUS, these are integrated into the overall highway profile, suggesting they facilitate quick passage rather than slower, meandering travel. The character is one of consistent speed and directness.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.8 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Verona Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 255.3 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Penn Hills, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Ephrata along the way.

Ephrata

241.2 mi in | ~4h 31m

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 4h 53m. Total distance: 255.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 230.8 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $30.01 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 0.1 miles (Verona Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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