Spanning 267.1 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip connects Reading to Morrisville in approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that is easily manageable as a one-day excursion. You should budget about $44 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the Northeast region, you will find consistent road conditions throughout your travel. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the direct nature of this path makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
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
133.6 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
196.9 mi
3h 35m
Roy E. Furman Highway
14.1 mi
19m
University Drive
10.7 mi
12m
McClellandtown Road
10.5 mi
18m
US 222
9.8 mi
12m
PA 982
8 mi
13m
State Route 31
6 mi
9m
Memorial Boulevard
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 196.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Morrisville, 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
11 mi·12 min·University Drive
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 21Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
162 ft·7 sec
20
Turn left onto PA 21
10 mi·18 min·McClellandtown Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 21
14 mi·19 min·Roy E. Furman Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 19
490 ft·17 sec·Mount Morris Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
US 19
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day journey, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your itinerary best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 5-hour and 20-minute drive. Keep a close eye on your mileage, as the 196.9-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike is the most significant portion of your trip where services may be limited. To ensure a smooth experience, verify your fuel levels before merging onto the turnpike, as this will be your primary corridor for the majority of the trip. Utilizing that single planned stop effectively will keep you refreshed until you reach Morrisville.
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 133.6 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 32m 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.6 miles or 2h 32m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morrisville, 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 267.1 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 242 — 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
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
6
242 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward PA 21
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 21
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.28 one way
$88.56 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.50
$97.00
premium
$4.93
$51.80
$103.60
diesel
$5.61
$58.97
$117.94
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
$44
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.05
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.37
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.39
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 15, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Morrisville, PA
Morning
in Morrisville on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
134 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
14 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 20m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 184.2
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 239.5
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 36.8
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 165.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 83% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 196.9 miles. The remainder of the trip transitions onto the Roy E. Furman Highway and University Drive to complete your arrival. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over winding scenic detours. Prepare for a consistent pace that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination without the need for constant navigation changes.
83% 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Roy E. Furman Highway. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 267.1 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 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,115 ft253 ft
Total Climb
3,165 ft
Total Descent
2,436 ft
Highest Point
2,115 ft
~190.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,863 ft
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 Morrisville, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Uniontown.
Patp
13.7 mi in|~20m|via Colonel Howard Boulevard
Uniontown
211.8 mi in|~3h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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 Morrisville, 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.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Morrisville, PA before the return drive.
