Origin
Reading, PA
Morning in Reading on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Reading, PA to Williamsburg, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
163 mi
262 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Reading, PA to Williamsburg, PA is 163 miles and takes about 3h 42m via Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 22, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's mostly on major highways, making it a straightforward journey for getting from point A to point B. With minimal stops recommended and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.
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
81.5 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike | 84.7 mi | 1h 30m |
| Croghan Pike | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| US 22 | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| US 222 | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| Covedale Road | 4.1 mi | 9m |
| Timmons Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Williamsburg Mountain Road | 3.9 mi | 9m |
| Spring Run Road East | 3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Williamsburg, 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
85 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto PA 997
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cumberland Highway
12
Continue on PA 997
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Trout Run
13
Continue on PA 997
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Cumberland Highway
14
Turn right onto PA 641; PA 997
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Newburg Road
15
Continue on PA 641
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Forge Hill Road
16
Continue on PA 641
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Timmons Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto PA 641
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Spring Run Road East
18
Continue on PA 641
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Spring Run Road
19
Continue on PA 641
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Neelytown Road
20
Continue on PA 641
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Neelyton Road
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 522
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
22
Continue on US 522
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Croghan Pike
23
Continue on US 522
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Ridgely Street
24
Continue on US 522
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Ridgley Street
25
Continue on US 522
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Croghan Pike
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 22
14 mi
·
21 min
·
US 22
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto SR 3039
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Hartslog Valley Road
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto SR 3014
3.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Williamsburg Mountain Road
29
Continue on Covedale Road
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Covedale Road
30
Continue on Locust Street
363 ft
·
17 sec
·
Locust Street
31
Turn right onto East 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 1st Street
32
Arrive at destination
East 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 42m duration and 163-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Reading, PA, to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch is 84.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps before or after this segment. With only one recommended stop and a modest fuel cost of $27, this route offers flexibility; you can depart at your leisure and take your time enjoying the drive.
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 81.5 miles from Reading, PA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.5 miles or 1h 34m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Williamsburg, 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 163 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 84.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.5 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 13.1 and 99.6 — 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
5
14.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge onto I 76; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
99.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg
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 PA 997: Shippensburg, Chambersburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.02 one way
$54.05 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $29.60 | $59.19 |
| premium | $4.93 | $31.61 | $63.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.99 | $71.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.02
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(84.7 mi)
$11.02
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
$27
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.9 | 0 | $17.12 | $7.82 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.26 | $6.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.82 | $10.43 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Williamsburg, PA
Morning in Williamsburg on Tuesday
Local time
6:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
View on nps.gov
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 33.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 67% of the journey on major roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 22. You'll encounter a long, uninterrupted stretch of 84.7 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, offering a consistent pace. As you progress, the route transitions, incorporating sections of Croghan Pike and US 22, which may offer a slightly different driving experience than the turnpike. Overall, anticipate a driving rhythm that leans heavily towards efficient highway travel.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.7 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and Croghan Pike. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 163 miles you will encounter 15 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Williamsburg, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Denver and Chambersburg.
Patp
13.1 mi in
|
~18m
Denver
13.1 mi in
|
~18m
Chambersburg
99.6 mi in
|
~1h 53m
About the Cities
Starting in Reading, PA
Full guide →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.
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 3h 42m. Total distance: 163 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $11.02 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 Williamsburg, 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 and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Williamsburg, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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