Planning a trip from Preston, PA, to Reading, PA? This 84.2-mile drive typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a convenient day trip. You'll primarily navigate I-81 and then transition to Center Avenue and Pottsville Pike. With a fuel cost estimated around $14, it's an economical journey. The route offers a mixed driving experience, and since it's well under a full day's travel, you have plenty of flexibility. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you'll be staying within familiar territory.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.1 miles from Preston, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
39.8 mi
45m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Skyline Drive
4.4 mi
5m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Centre Avenue
2.8 mi
4m
North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 39.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Chester Street
287 ft·16 sec·Chester Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South Main Street
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
4
Merge onto PA 29
0.2 mi·18 sec·South Cross Valley Expressway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 81 South: Hazleton
6
Merge onto I 81
40 mi·45 min·I 81
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 124BToward PA 61 North: Frackville
8
Turn straight onto PA 61
500 ft·13 sec·Skyline Drive
9
Turn uturn onto PA 61
4.3 mi·5 min·Skyline Drive
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on PA 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
11
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
12
Continue on PA 61
1.6 mi·2 min·North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·14 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
15
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
17
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
18
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
25
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
26
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 45-minute drive, starting in the morning is ideal to maximize your day in Reading. Since there are no specific stops recommended and the longest stretch is manageable, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition off I-81 onto Center Avenue and Pottsville Pike, where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $14 suggests you won't need to make frequent, large fuel purchases.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.1 miles from Preston, PA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.1 miles or 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 1h 27m
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 Preston, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Preston, PA
This is one driving day of about 84.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Preston, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 39.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 South: Hazleton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 81 South: Hazleton
5
41.7 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Frackville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 124B
Toward PA 61 North: Frackville
8
42.2 mi into trip|~50m in|PA 61 / Skyline Drive
Turn uturn onto PA 61 / Skyline Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
84 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.96 one way
$27.92 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.29
$30.58
premium
$4.93
$16.33
$32.66
diesel
$5.61
$18.59
$37.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.3
0
$8.84
$4.04
Efficient EV
21.1
0
$7.37
$3.37
EV Truck/SUV
33.7
0
$11.79
$5.39
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 18, 2026
Origin
Preston, PA
Morning
in Preston on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 2 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph2% 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
1 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
1h 45m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 52.3
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 drive presents a mixed driving profile, with 51% of it on highways. You'll encounter about 39.8 miles on I-81 as the longest uninterrupted stretch, offering a chance to cover distance efficiently. Following that, you'll transition to more local roads like Center Avenue and Pottsville Pike, which will likely involve more varied speeds and intersections. Expect a blend of faster interstate travel and more typical road conditions as you approach your destination.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near South Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 84.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). 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 39.8 miles on I 81. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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.
