Reading, PA to Oak Hills, PA is 279.2 miles and takes about 5h 22m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a predominantly highway drive, making it a straightforward transit between two points. Consider this route if you want a direct path with minimal navigation challenges and a predictable travel time.
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
139.6 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
248.3 mi
4h 30m
Pittsburgh Road
10.2 mi
16m
US 222
9.8 mi
12m
William Flinn Highway
4.3 mi
7m
Penn Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Vogel Road
1 mi
2m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Penn Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 248.3 mi, about 4h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Oak Hills, 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
248 mi·4 hr 30 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·53 sec
Exit 39Toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, ButlerUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
498 ft·11 sec
Toward PA 8 North: ButlerUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto PA 8
4.3 mi·7 min·William Flinn Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on PA 8
10 mi·16 min·Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto Vogel Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Vogel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Vogel Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Vogel Road
16
Turn left onto Old Plank Road
499 ft·18 sec·Old Plank Road
17
Turn left onto Stratford Drive
0.1 mi·35 sec·Stratford Drive
18
Turn sharp right
142 ft·10 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Leaving Reading, PA in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should allow you to arrive in Oak Hills, PA with plenty of daylight remaining. With a total drive time of just over 5 hours, a single stop for fuel or a quick break midway is likely sufficient. The majority of this route is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so be aware of potential toll costs in addition to the estimated $46 fuel budget. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed pace.
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 139.6 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 248.3 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 38m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oak Hills, 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 279.2 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 248.3 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 279.1 — 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
8
263.1 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, Butler
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39
Toward PA 8: Butler Valley, Pittsburgh, Butler
8
263.4 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 8 North: Butler
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PA 8 North: Butler
6
279.1 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.13 one way
$98.27 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$53.73
$107.46
premium
$5.23
$57.44
$114.89
diesel
$6.18
$67.92
$135.84
Estimated Tolls: $32.28
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(248.3 mi)$32.28
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
$49
Tolls
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
EV Truck/SUV
111.7
1
$39.09
$17.87
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Sunny
N 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Oak Hills, PA
Morning
in Oak Hills on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 7 to 12 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
40°F
King, PA
140 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 22m 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 182.9
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
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 38.5
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 211.8
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 163.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 92% of this 279.2-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 248.3 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. After leaving the turnpike, you'll transition to roads like Pittsburgh Road and US 222. Expect a highway feel for the vast majority of the drive, punctuated by the exits and merges common to major interstates.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 248.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Pittsburgh Road. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 279.2 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 263.1 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
2,416 ft253 ft
Total Climb
2,912 ft
Total Descent
1,945 ft
Highest Point
2,416 ft
~179.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,164 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 Oak Hills, PA, road signs point toward Pittsburgh and Butler.
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 5h 22m. Total distance: 279.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 248.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $32.28 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 17 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 Oak Hills, 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 17 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 263.1 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, Flight 93 National Memorial and Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 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 Oak Hills, PA before the return drive.
