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Trip from Reading, PA to West Bradford, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 21m

Distance

262.5 mi

422 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 8m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Reading, PA, PA

Reading, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Bradford, PA, PA

West Bradford, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

Reading, PA to West Bradford, PA is 262.5 miles and takes about 5h 21m via Keystone Shortway and US 219, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel rather than pure interstate cruising. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable trip for a single stretch of driving.

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

131.2 miles from Reading, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 112.9 mi 2h 1m
US 219 35.9 mi 40m
Pottsville Pike 14.4 mi 18m
Locust Gap Highway 11.5 mi 13m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
Bennetts Valley Highway 10.5 mi 16m
South Market Street 9.7 mi 11m
Sunbury Road 9.4 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 112.9 mi, about 2h 1m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 West Bradford, 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

113 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Keystone Shortway
30

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
31

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec
32

Turn straight onto PA 153

7.5 mi · 13 min · State Park Road
33

Turn right onto PA 255

7.9 mi · 12 min · Bennetts Valley Highway
34

Continue on PA 255

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Million Dollar Highway
35

Continue on PA 255

2.6 mi · 3 min · Bennetts Valley Highway
36

Turn straight onto PA 255

8.1 mi · 12 min · Million Dollar Highway
37

Continue on PA 120; PA 255

0.1 mi · 14 sec · South Saint Marys Street
38

Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255

147 ft · 3 sec · Railroad Street
39

Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255

382 ft · 8 sec · South Michael Street
40

Continue on PA 255

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Michael Street
41

Turn left onto PA 255

0.7 mi · 1 min · Maurus Street
42

Continue on PA 255

4.4 mi · 6 min · Johnsonburg Road
43

Continue on PA 255

2.3 mi · 3 min · Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
44

Continue on PA 255

0.8 mi · 1 min · Powers Avenue
45

Keep slight right at fork

149 ft · 5 sec
46

Merge onto US 219

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 219
47

Keep slight right at fork onto US 219

29 mi · 33 min · US 219
48

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec
Toward PA 346 West: Elm Street
49

Turn left onto Elm Street

252 ft · 9 sec · Elm Street
50

Turn right onto South Davis Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · South Davis Street
51

Turn left onto PA 346

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
52

At end of road, turn right onto PA 346

513 ft · 17 sec · Mechanic Street
53

Turn left onto PA 346

0.3 mi · 36 sec · West Washington Street
54

Turn right onto Interstate Parkway

0.8 mi · 2 min · Interstate Parkway
55

Arrive at destination

Interstate Parkway

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Reading, PA in the morning is ideal to make the most of daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you see a convenient fuel station. Since the majority of this trip is on surface roads, be prepared for a more varied driving pace. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so ensure your tank is full before you depart.

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 131.2 miles from Reading, PA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.9 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 58 miles or 1h 14m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131.2 miles or 2h 36m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Bradford, 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 262.5 miles and 5h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 112.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Central City, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Central City, PA

131 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Shamokin, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Central City, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.2 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 112.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Centre County Rest Area Westbound

0 mi from route

Montour County Rest Area Westbound

0 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Centre County Rest Area Eastbound

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Clinton County Rest Area Westbound

0.2 mi from route

Montour County Rest Area Eastbound

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Gibraltar Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 260.7 — 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
188.8 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Take the exit toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
5
260.7 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in | Elm Street

Turn left onto Elm Street

Navigation decision point

5
260.7 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in | South Davis Street

Turn right onto South Davis Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.86 one way

$83.71 round trip

$4.05/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $46.32 $92.64
premium $4.81 $49.69 $99.38
diesel $4.80 $49.56 $99.13

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

$42

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.8 0 $27.56 $12.60
Efficient EV 65.6 0 $22.97 $10.50
EV Truck/SUV 105 1 $36.75 $16.80

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Reading, PA

Afternoon in Reading on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

69°F

Smoke

S 0 to 5 mph 23% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Destination

West Bradford, PA

Afternoon in West Bradford on Sunday

Local time

3:47 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Smoke

S 5 mph 33% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 18 at 2:13AM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

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

7 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

5h 21m 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

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 ~53 min detour Free near mile 36.2
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily surface roads, with only 19% on highways. You'll experience a 112.9-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to roads like US 219 and Pottsville Pike. Expect to encounter more local traffic and potentially more traffic signals once you leave the limited-access sections.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
55 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.8 miles in near US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 25 significant decision points across 262.5 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 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 188.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

2,079 ft 253 ft

Total Climb

3,993 ft

Total Descent

2,727 ft

Highest Point

2,079 ft

~243.7 mi in

Elevation Range

1,826 ft

Notable High Points

1,765 ft at ~112.5 miles +725 ft prominence
2,079 ft at ~243.7 miles +560 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Reading, PA to West Bradford, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Penfield

188.8 mi in | ~3h 38m

About the Cities

Starting in Reading, PA

Full guide →

Founded 1748

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
  • Skew Arch Bridge

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 262.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 112.9 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.

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 West Bradford, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 188.8 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.

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 West Bradford, PA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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