Reading, PA to Troy, PA is 174.1 miles and takes about 3h 28m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a route with frequent turns, characteristic of local roads, rather than a straightforward interstate journey. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll have ample time to complete this trip without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.1 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
90.5 mi
1h 37m
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
Morrisdale Allport Highway
5.1 mi
9m
Continental Boulevard
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 90.5 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Troy, 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
91 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·57 sec
Toward PA 53: Philipsburg, Kylertown
31
Turn left onto PA 53
1.8 mi·3 min·Kylertown Drifting Highway
32
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 53
5.1 mi·9 min·Morrisdale Allport Highway
33
Continue on PA 53
0.4 mi·50 sec·Troy Hawk Run Highway
34
Turn right onto Lil Troy Drive
338 ft·14 sec·Lil Troy Drive
35
Arrive at destination
Lil Troy Drive
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day drive of just over 3.5 hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be more spaced out. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route and adjust your speed accordingly when navigating local roads.
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 87.1 miles from Reading, PA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.5 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.1 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Troy, 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 174.1 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 90.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 166.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Turn right onto US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
33.8 mi into trip|~43m in|US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
4
33.9 mi into trip|~43m in|US 209 / South Centre Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 209 / South Centre 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
166.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward PA 53: Philipsburg, Kylertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 53: Philipsburg, Kylertown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.86 one way
$57.73 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$31.61
$63.22
premium
$4.93
$33.76
$67.53
diesel
$5.61
$38.44
$76.88
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
$29
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.2
0
$18.28
$8.36
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
EV Truck/SUV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Troy, PA
Morning
in Troy on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
3h 28m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with only an 8% share of highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 90.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. As you progress, be prepared for the road to shift between the more direct Keystone Shortway and segments of Pottsville Pike and Locust Gap Highway, requiring your attention to navigation and speed adjustments.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.5 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th 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 174.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (US 209 / South Centre Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 174.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). 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 90.5 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.
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.
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 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (US 209 / South Centre Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Troy, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
