Spanning 257.7 miles, this route from Reading to Orchard Hills is a straightforward journey typically taking 4 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay, making it an efficient choice for those looking to cross the state quickly. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the trip. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout your travels. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and directness over detours.
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
128.8 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212.1 mi
3h 51m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.9 mi
13m
PA 66
10.2 mi
16m
US 222
9.8 mi
12m
State Route 66
3.7 mi
6m
Penn Avenue
2.6 mi
4m
Sheridan Road
2.2 mi
3m
Colonel Howard Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 212.1 mi, about 3h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Orchard 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
212 mi·3 hr 51 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 70
0.4 mi·54 sec·I 70
Toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New StantonUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 119, PA Turnpike 66: Connellsville, Greensburg, Delmont
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
13
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
13 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
14
Continue on PA 66
10 mi·16 min·PA 66
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto PA 66
1.5 mi·2 min·State Route 66
16
Take the exit
424 ft·8 sec
17
Merge onto PA 66
2.2 mi·3 min·State Route 66
18
Continue on PA 66
2.2 mi·3 min·Sheridan Road
19
Turn right onto Florida Avenue
81 ft·3 sec·Florida Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Florida Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are spending nearly 212 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that long uninterrupted stretch to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the route efficiently and avoid potential traffic fluctuations. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of complex navigation allows you to easily adjust your schedule if you choose to take a longer break. Keep your toll payment method handy, as that long Turnpike segment is the core of your travel experience.
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 128.8 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.1 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 27m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orchard 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 257.7 miles and 4h 58m.
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 Pennsylvania Turnpike for about 212.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 227.3 — 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
226.9 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|I 70
Take the exit onto I 70 toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton
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 I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll:...
6
227.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 119, PA Turnpike 66: Connellsville, Greensburg, Delmont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 119, PA Turnpike 66: Connellsville, G...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.72 one way
$85.45 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.79
$93.58
premium
$4.93
$49.98
$99.96
diesel
$5.61
$56.90
$113.79
Estimated Tolls: $28.47
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(212.1 mi)$27.57
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.9 mi)$0.90
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
$43
Tolls
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.06
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.08
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Late night
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Orchard Hills, PA
Late night
in Orchard Hills on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Hancock, MD
129 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
16 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 58m 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 186.6
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
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 35.5
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 213.3
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 159.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which accounts for a significant 212.1-mile stretch of your total journey. The remainder of your navigation involves transitioning onto the Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass and PA 66 to reach your destination. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel rather than the technical turns of local backroads. Because the vast majority of the drive is spent on high-speed infrastructure, you can maintain a steady rhythm throughout the day.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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 14 significant decision points across 257.7 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,527 ft253 ft
Total Climb
2,798 ft
Total Descent
1,914 ft
Highest Point
2,527 ft
~202.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,275 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 Orchard Hills, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver, Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling, New Stanton and Pa Turnpike 66: Connellsville - among others.
Patp
13.1 mi in|~18m
Denver
13.1 mi in|~18m
Pa Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg
226.9 mi in|~4h 14m|via I 70
Wheeling
226.9 mi in|~4h 14m|via I 70
New Stanton
226.9 mi in|~4h 14m|via I 70
Pa Turnpike 66: Connellsville
227.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Greensburg
227.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Delmont
227.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
228.2 mi in|~4h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m 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 212.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $28.47 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 Orchard 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. 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 Appalachian National Scenic Trail (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Orchard Hills, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
