South Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Reading, PA to Brush Valley, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
210.5 mi
339 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Reading, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Brush Valley, PA
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
Reading, PA to Brush Valley, PA is 210.5 miles and takes about 4h 23m via Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within Pennsylvania. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a manageable one-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it a straightforward transit between these two points. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to cover this stretch of the state.
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
105.2 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 141.4 mi | 2h 33m |
| Harold Avenue | 15.3 mi | 23m |
| Clear Shade Drive | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Eichler Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| US 222 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| Quaker Valley Road | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| Scalp Avenue | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Bedford Street | 3.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 141.4 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Brush Valley, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Penn Street
2
Continue on US 422 Business Alternate
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Penn Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
4
Merge onto US 222
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
US 222
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Colonel Howard Boulevard
Toward I 76, PATP
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
9
Merge onto I 76; PATP
141 mi
·
2 hr 33 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward Altoona, Johnstown
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Business 220
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
14
Merge onto I 99; US 220
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PA 56: Johnstown, Cessna
16
Turn straight onto PA 56
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Quaker Valley Road
17
Continue on PA 56
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Eichler Road
18
Continue on PA 56
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Clear Shade Drive
19
Continue on PA 56
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Scalp Avenue
20
Enter roundabout onto Scalp Avenue
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
21
Continue on Scalp Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Scalp Avenue
22
Continue on Bedford Street
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bedford Street
23
Continue on PA 271
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Clinton Street
24
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
25
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 403
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Roosevelt Boulevard
26
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 403
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Broad Street
27
At end of road, turn left onto Laurel Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Avenue
28
At end of road, turn right onto PA 56
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Strayer Street
29
Continue on PA 56
15 mi
·
23 min
·
Harold Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Valley View Road
350 ft
·
15 sec
·
Valley View Road
31
Arrive at destination
Valley View Road
Trip Plan
For this 4h 23m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Brush Valley comfortably. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along the Pennsylvania Turnpike for a quick break. The estimated fuel cost is $38, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin, especially before heading onto the longest highway stretch. Since it's a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be aware that the final 69 miles are not on the highway, so plan for a slight change in pace as you near your destination.
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 105.2 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.4 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 46 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.2 miles or 2h 1m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brush Valley, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Reading, 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 Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 210.5 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Reading, 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 141.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.2 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.4 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.
North Midway Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Blue Mountain Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Lawn Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Sideling Hill Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Cumberland Valley Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.1 mi from route
Sheetz
1.4 mi from route
Gibraltar Park
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~12 min detour
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 157 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
6
13.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
Colonel Howard Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard toward I 76, PATP
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 76, PATP
7
156.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward Altoona, Johnstown
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 Altoona, Johnstown
6
156.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the ramp toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
7
157 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.56 one way
$67.13 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $37.14 | $74.29 |
| premium | $4.81 | $39.85 | $79.69 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.75 | $79.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $18.38
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(141.4 mi)
$18.38
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
$34
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.10 | $10.10 |
| Efficient EV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Monday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 5 to 10 mph
61% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:54PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:53PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Brush Valley, PA
Morning in Brush Valley on Monday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 13 mph
87% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:54PM EDT until July 18 at 8:15PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:53PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
82°F
Martinsburg, PA
105 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
6 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 23m 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
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 79.8
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 188.7
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 181.5
View on nps.gov
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 36.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 73% of the 210.5 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 141.4 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After leaving the Turnpike, you'll transition to surface roads like Harold Avenue and Clear Shade Drive, which will make up the remaining 69 miles. Expect highway cruising for the majority of your travel time.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.4 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Harold Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 210.5 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 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,113 ft
253 ft
Total Climb
2,792 ft
Total Descent
1,608 ft
Highest Point
2,113 ft
~180.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,861 ft
Notable High Points
1,760 ft at ~135.3 miles
+673 ft prominence
2,113 ft at ~180.4 miles
+755 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reading, PA and Brush Valley, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver, Altoona, Johnstown and Cessna.
Patp
13.1 mi in
|
~18m
Denver
13.1 mi in
|
~18m
Altoona
156.2 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Johnstown
156.2 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Cessna
159.6 mi in
|
~3h 1m
About the Cities
Starting in Reading, PA
Full guide →Founded 1748
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
- • Skew Arch Bridge
Arriving in Brush Valley, PA
Full guide →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 23m. Total distance: 210.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.4 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $18.38 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 14 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 Brush Valley, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles (Colonel Howard Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Brush Valley, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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