This 234.4-mile drive from Reading, PA to Dunbar, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222, with a brief section of PA 982. With a highway share of 94%, this route is designed for efficient travel. Your estimated fuel cost is around $39, and you'll encounter only one recommended stop. This trip is ideal for those looking to cover ground quickly within the Northeast region, making it a practical choice for a day trip.
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
117.2 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
196.9 mi
3h 35m
US 222
9.8 mi
12m
PA 982
8 mi
13m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
Memorial Boulevard
4 mi
4m
Penn Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
University Drive
1.7 mi
1m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Dunbar, 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
197 mi·3 hr 35 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, UniontownUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto PA 31
6.0 mi·9 min·State Route 31
12
Continue on PA 31
0.1 mi·15 sec·Three Mile Hill
13
Turn left onto PA 982
8.0 mi·13 min·PA 982
14
Turn left onto US 119
4.0 mi·4 min·Memorial Boulevard
15
Turn straight onto US 119
0.6 mi·39 sec·Blackstone Road
16
Merge onto US 119
0.5 mi·33 sec·Morrell Avenue
17
Turn slight right onto US 119
1.7 mi·1 min·University Drive
18
Turn left onto Dunbar Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Dunbar Road
19
Continue on Woodvale Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Woodvale Street
20
Turn sharp left onto Connellsville Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Connellsville Street
21
Continue on Connellsville Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Connellsville Street
22
Turn left
44 ft·3 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 35-minute duration, starting your journey from Reading, PA in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Dunbar, PA with ample time. The longest stretch without a required stop is nearly 200 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. With only one recommended stop and a 94% highway share, this route allows for flexibility; however, it's wise to be aware of the fuel cost estimate of $39. Ensure your vehicle is topped up before departing Reading, as the majority of your miles will be on high-speed roadways.
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 117.2 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.9 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 14m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunbar, 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 234.4 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 196.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 211.8 — 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
5
14.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
5
14.8 mi into trip|~22m in|I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge onto I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
211.8 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
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 PA 31, PA 711: Ligonier, Uniontown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.25 one way
$82.50 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$45.11
$90.22
premium
$5.23
$48.23
$96.45
diesel
$6.18
$57.02
$114.04
Estimated Tolls: $25.60
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(196.9 mi)$25.60
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
$41
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.51
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.82
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Late night
in Reading on Monday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Dunbar, PA
Late night
in Dunbar on Monday
Local time
2:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 2:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
117 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
3 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
4h 35m 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...
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 185.9
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 234.4
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 32.3
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 161.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 196.9 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. As you transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to US 222 and PA 982, you'll notice a slight shift in the driving environment, though the highway character remains dominant. This profile suggests a route built for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 196.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
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 234.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 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 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,447 ft253 ft
Total Climb
3,141 ft
Total Descent
2,351 ft
Highest Point
2,447 ft
~200.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,194 ft
Notable High Points
1,828 ft at ~133.9 miles+710 ft prominence
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 Dunbar, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver and Uniontown.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 234.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 196.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $25.60 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 15 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 Dunbar, 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 15 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 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dunbar, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
