Origin
Russell, PA
Late night in Russell on Wednesday
Local time
12:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russell, PA to Reading, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
266 mi
428 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell, PA
FurtherMore Studio
Reading, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Russell, PA to Reading, PA is 266 miles and takes about 5h 44m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region from its northwestern edge to its southeastern part. With a low highway percentage, expect a more scenic and potentially slower pace for much of the drive. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward path across the state.
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
133 miles from Russell, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 112.7 mi | 2h 1m |
| PA 948 | 23.8 mi | 35m |
| Boot Jack Road | 11.2 mi | 16m |
| State Route 54 | 11.1 mi | 13m |
| Center Avenue | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Pottsville Pike | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| Elysburg Road | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 112.7 mi, about 2h 1m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,050 veh/hr typical · worst 1,469
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Russell, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
54 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Street
3
Turn slight right onto Liberty Street
175 ft
·
13 sec
·
Liberty Street
4
Turn left onto US 62
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Market Street
5
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West 4th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Hickory Street
7
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hickory Bridge
8
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
13
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
14
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
15
Take the exit
265 ft
·
9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
16
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Street
17
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 948
18
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 66
19
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi
·
22 min
·
PA 948
20
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
21
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Boot Jack Road
22
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Penfield Road
23
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Hoovertown Road
24
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi
·
14 min
·
State Park Road
25
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
26
Merge onto I 80
113 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
28
Turn slight left
79 ft
·
2 sec
29
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Factory Street
31
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
32
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on PA 54
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 54
34
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Locust Gap Highway
35
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrounds Road
36
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
Sunbury Road
37
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sunbury Street
38
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Minersville Highway
39
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Nagle Trail
40
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Sillyman Street
41
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
42
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft
·
6 sec
·
Route 61 South
43
Continue on PA 61
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Centre Street
45
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
South 4th Street
46
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
49
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
50
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
51
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
52
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Street
53
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Franklin Street
54
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
55
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
Penn Street
56
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 44m estimated drive time and 266-mile distance, leaving in the morning should allow ample time to reach Reading before evening. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for additional breaks as needed, especially as you transition to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spaced out once you're off the main highway stretches. With a fuel cost estimated around $44, it's a budget-friendly drive, but it's always wise to have a buffer.
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 133 miles from Russell, PA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.7 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 59 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 3h 3m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reading, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russell, 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 Russell, PA
This is one driving day of about 266 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Russell, 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 112.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133 miles from Russell, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.7 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 235 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 265.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Hickory Street
Turn left onto Hickory Street
Navigation decision point
6
7.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
Crescent Park
Turn left onto Crescent Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
191.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
Take the exit toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
5
191.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
|
PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Turn right onto PA 54 / Continental Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
265.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.45 one way
$88.89 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $48.92 | $97.83 |
| premium | $5.01 | $52.49 | $104.98 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $58.64 | $117.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.8 | 0 | $27.93 | $12.77 |
| Efficient EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.4 | 1 | $37.24 | $17.02 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Reading, PA
Late night in Reading on Wednesday
Local time
12:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°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
23 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
5h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a relatively low highway share, with only 14% of the drive on major highways. The longest stretch on a single main road is 112.7 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more rural surface roads for the majority of your travel time. The profile indicates mostly surface roads, so you'll likely notice more local traffic and varied speed limits.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.7 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 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near Hickory Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 266 miles you will encounter 23 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 7.3 miles (Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 191.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,030 ft
253 ft
Total Climb
2,451 ft
Total Descent
3,448 ft
Highest Point
2,030 ft
~77.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,778 ft
Notable High Points
1,522 ft at ~213.2 miles
+784 ft prominence
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.
On the drive from Russell, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
Washingtonville
191.2 mi in
|
~4h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Russell, PA
Full guide →Arriving 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 44m. Total distance: 266 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (14%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 7.3 miles (Hickory Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 191.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Reading, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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