Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Reading, PA to Hemlock, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
261.2 mi
420 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Reading, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Hemlock, PA
K6
Trip Overview
Reading, PA to Hemlock, PA is 261.2 miles and takes about 5h 43m via Keystone Shortway and Pottsville Pike, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily in Pennsylvania, offering a straightforward trip. With a mostly surface roads profile, expect a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. This route is best suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
130.6 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 112.9 mi | 2h 1m |
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| US 219 | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Montmorenci Road | 8.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.9 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical · worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Hemlock, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
279 ft
·
8 sec
·
Penn Street
2
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 5th Street
3
Turn slight left onto PA 61
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
South 4th Street
10
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Turn left onto US 209
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Mauch Chunk Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Centre Street
17
Turn left onto US 209
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
18
Continue on US 209; PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sunbury Street
20
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
21
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
22
Continue on PA 901
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
23
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Locust Gap Highway
24
Continue on PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Market Street
25
Turn right onto PA 54
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on PA 54
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
29
Merge onto I 80
113 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
32
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Park Road
33
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Hoovertown Road
34
Continue on PA 153
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Penfield Road
35
At end of road, turn right onto US 219
12 mi
·
18 min
·
US 219
36
Turn right onto PA 948
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Montmorenci Avenue
37
Continue on PA 948
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
Montmorenci Road
38
Continue on PA 948
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Highland Road
39
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Kane-Russell City Road
40
Take the exit onto PA 948
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 948
41
Continue on PA 666
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 666
42
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
43
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
44
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
45
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
46
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
47
Turn right onto US 6 Business
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue East
Use the right lane.
48
Turn right onto Hemlock Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hemlock Street
49
Continue on Hemlock Road
3.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Hemlock Road
50
Turn right
99 ft
·
4 sec
51
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 43m estimated duration, leaving Reading, PA in the morning is ideal for reaching Hemlock, PA within daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a mostly surface roads profile, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan for your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is $44, and keep an eye on the road conditions, especially as you transition from the Keystone Shortway to local roads. It's a manageable single-day drive, so you can depart when you're ready.
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 130.6 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 57 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hemlock, 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 261.2 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 Keystone Shortway for about 112.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.6 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.9 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.
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 257.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
33.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
5
72 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
188.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
5
205.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
|
US 219
At end of road, turn right onto US 219
Navigation decision point
6
257.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
|
US 6 Business / Pennsylvania Avenue East
Turn right onto US 6 Business / Pennsylvania Avenue East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.62 one way
$91.23 round trip
$4.44/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.86 | $49.95 | $99.89 |
| premium | $5.20 | $53.43 | $106.87 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.54 | $129.08 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)
$0.74
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.43 | $12.54 |
| Efficient EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.5 | 1 | $36.57 | $16.72 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Reading, PA
Afternoon in Reading on Saturday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
34°F
Widespread Frost
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Hemlock, PA
Afternoon in Hemlock on Saturday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
32 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
5h 43m 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.
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 36
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with highway travel making up about 14% of the total distance. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 112.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of this route.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.9 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 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.
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 261.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,919 ft
253 ft
Total Climb
3,267 ft
Total Descent
2,310 ft
Highest Point
1,919 ft
~186.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,666 ft
Notable High Points
1,754 ft at ~112 miles
+751 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.
On the drive from Reading, PA to Hemlock, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.
Penfield
188.8 mi in
|
~3h 38m
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
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 5h 43m. Total distance: 261.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre 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 13 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 Hemlock, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hemlock, PA before the return drive.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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