Reading, PA to Treasure Lake, PA is 204.8 miles and takes about 4h 10m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region of the state. With the majority of the drive on surface roads, expect a more connected-to-the-landscape experience rather than a high-speed dash. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward path to your destination without requiring an overnight stop.
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
102.4 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
122.8 mi
2h 12m
Pottsville Pike
14.4 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
Continental Boulevard
3 mi
3m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 12m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,081 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,447
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Treasure Lake, 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
123 mi·2 hr 12 min·Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
31
Turn left onto PA 255
1.2 mi·1 min·Bee Line Highway
32
Turn left onto Hungry Hollow Road
2.1 mi·8 min·Hungry Hollow Road
33
Turn straight onto Devils Cay Court
0.5 mi·3 min·Devils Cay Court
34
Turn right onto Calabash Court
0.1 mi·25 sec·Calabash Court
35
Turn right onto Woolendean
0.5 mi·2 min·Woolendean
36
Turn left onto Adderly Court
0.1 mi·37 sec·Adderly Court
37
At end of road, turn right onto Bay Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Bay Road
38
Keep slight right at fork onto Bay Road
0.1 mi·38 sec·Bay Road
39
Turn left onto Bequia Road
0.1 mi·32 sec·Bequia Road
40
Arrive at destination
Bequia Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m drive time, leaving Reading, PA in the morning will allow you to reach Treasure Lake, PA with ample daylight. You'll pass through one designated stop area, so plan to take a break there or at a town along the route to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time, but aim for an earlier start to fully enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
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 102.4 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 45 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Treasure Lake, 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 204.8 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 122.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 204.7 — 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
198.7 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 255: DuBois, Penfield
5
203.7 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|Bay Road
At end of road, turn right onto Bay Road
Navigation decision point
5
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|Bequia Road
Turn left onto Bequia Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.66 one way
$65.31 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$36.14
$72.28
premium
$4.81
$38.77
$77.53
diesel
$4.80
$38.67
$77.34
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.92
$8.19
EV Truck/SUV
81.9
1
$28.67
$13.11
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Jul 20, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Night
in Reading on Monday
Local time
10:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Treasure Lake, PA
Night
in Treasure Lake on Monday
Local time
10:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Patchy Smoke
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
83°F
Danville, PA
102 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
5 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 10m 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
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 42.4
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with only about 7% of the total 204.8 miles on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 122.8 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you leave the limited-access highway behind and navigate through local areas.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 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 Effort5/10
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 204.8 miles you will encounter 18 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 198.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4h 10m. Total distance: 204.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (7%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 198.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Treasure Lake, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
