Planning a 1-day trip from Pleasant Gap, PA, to Reading, PA? This 144.9-mile drive will take you approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Keystone Shortway and State Route 54, with a portion on Center Avenue. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this journey through Pennsylvania's Northeast region is budget-friendly. The route offers a turn-heavy local drive feel, so be prepared for frequent adjustments rather than long, straight stretches.
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
72.4 miles from Pleasant Gap, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
63.4 mi
1h 8m
State Route 54
11.1 mi
13m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Elysburg Road
9.7 mi
11m
Sunbury Road
9.4 mi
11m
PA 26
4.8 mi
6m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pleasant Gap, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 144
32 ft·3 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto PA 26
1.6 mi·2 min·East College Avenue
3
Turn left onto PA 26
0.6 mi·1 min·PA 26
Use the left lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 26
4.2 mi·5 min·PA 26
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 80; US 220
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·Keystone Shortway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
8
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
9
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
11
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
12
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
14
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
15
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
16
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
17
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
18
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
19
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
20
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
21
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
22
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
23
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
25
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
26
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
33
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
34
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
35
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 55-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to leave Pleasant Gap in the morning to maximize your time in Reading. While the drive is not excessively long, you'll want to factor in at least one stop for rest or to refuel, especially since the longest stretch without significant turns is 63.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and local roads can sometimes be less predictable for services than major highways. The turn-heavy nature of this route means staying alert is key.
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 72.4 miles from Pleasant Gap, PA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 21m 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 20m
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 Pleasant Gap, 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 Pleasant Gap, PA
This is one driving day of about 144.9 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Pleasant Gap, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Pleasant Gap, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Gibraltar Park
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
mile 144.9
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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 144.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~2m in|PA 26
Turn left onto PA 26
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.4 mi into trip|~9m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
5
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
144.7 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.02 one way
$48.05 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.31
$52.62
premium
$4.93
$28.10
$56.20
diesel
$5.61
$31.99
$63.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.21
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.68
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.29
$9.27
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 17, 2026
Origin
Pleasant Gap, PA
Late night
in Pleasant Gap on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
19 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 55m 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.
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 109.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 11% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time on State Route 54 and Center Avenue, experiencing a more intimate connection with the Pennsylvania landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a brief period of consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. Expect a dynamic driving experience with plenty of turns.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near PA 26.
Driving Effort6/10
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 144.9 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 1.6 miles (PA 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Pleasant Gap, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
70.1 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 144.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1.6 miles (PA 26): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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.
