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Trip from Reading, PA to Dunbar, 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 35m

Distance

234.4 mi

377 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m

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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borough of Pennsylvania

Dunbar, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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, Uniontown Use 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.

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

117 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

Harrisburg, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.2 miles from Reading, 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 196.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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

$38.86 one way

$77.72 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $42.56 $85.12
premium $4.93 $45.46 $90.92
diesel $5.61 $51.75 $103.51

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

$39

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Tuesday

Local time

8:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

SW 5 to 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:07PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:48PM EDT until April 14 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Dunbar, PA

Morning in Dunbar on Tuesday

Local time

8:01 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Hancock, MD

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

15 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 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.

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 Effort 6/10

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.

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.

Patp

13.1 mi in | ~18m

Denver

13.1 mi in | ~18m

Uniontown

211.8 mi in | ~3h 58m

About the Cities

Starting 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 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

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.

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

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