This 142.9-mile drive from South Union, PA to Reading, PA will take you approximately 3 hours and 12 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Appalachian Thruway and the Keystone Shortway, with a portion on US Highway 15. With about 20% of the drive on highways, expect a varied experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24. Since both locations are in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you won't be crossing any major regional lines, but you'll still experience a good cross-section of the state's landscape on this turn-heavy local drive.
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
71.4 miles from South Union, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Appalachian Thruway
29.2 mi
34m
Keystone Shortway
13 mi
13m
US Highway 15
11.7 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:
Appalachian Thruway
— 29.2 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Union, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on South Union Road
81 ft·6 sec·South Union Road
2
Turn right onto T329
0.9 mi·3 min·Beck Road
3
Turn right onto T329
1.5 mi·5 min·Salt Spring Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 414
4.3 mi·7 min·PA 414
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 414
0.4 mi·39 sec·Blockhouse Road
6
Turn right onto PA 414
0.7 mi·1 min·Route 414
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
8
Merge onto I 99; US 15
29 mi·34 min·Appalachian Thruway
9
Take the exit onto US 15
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 15
Exit 27AToward US 15 South: LewisburgUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
159 ft·5 sec·US 15
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 15
0.9 mi·2 min·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn slight left onto US 15
1.3 mi·2 min·Montgomery Pike
13
Continue on US 15
12 mi·16 min·US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 15
2.9 mi·3 min·Westbranch Highway
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 80 East: BloomsburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
17
Merge onto I 80
13 mi·13 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
19
Turn slight left
79 ft·2 sec
20
Turn right onto PA 54
2.9 mi·3 min·Continental Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 54
0.1 mi·19 sec·Factory Street
22
Continue on PA 54
0.3 mi·49 sec·Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
23
Turn left onto PA 54
9.7 mi·11 min·Elysburg Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on PA 54
11 mi·13 min·State Route 54
25
Continue on PA 901
0.4 mi·41 sec·Locust Gap Highway
26
Continue on PA 901
2.2 mi·2 min·Fairgrounds Road
27
Continue on PA 901
9.4 mi·11 min·Sunbury Road
28
Continue on PA 901
0.8 mi·1 min·Sunbury Street
29
Turn right onto PA 901
1.8 mi·2 min·Pottsville Minersville Highway
30
Turn right onto PA 901
4.0 mi·6 min·Gordon Nagle Trail
31
Continue on PA 901
0.2 mi·33 sec·North Sillyman Street
32
Turn left onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
33
Turn right onto PA 61
493 ft·6 sec·Route 61 South
34
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
36
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
37
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
41
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
44
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
45
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
46
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
47
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 12 minute duration, departing in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for your destination. While this drive is manageable in a single day with only one stop suggested, the flexibility of a shorter trip means you can adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the main roads like the Appalachian Thruway and Keystone Shortway; the longest stretch without a major road change is 29.2 miles, so plan your refueling before hitting that segment if needed. The $24 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budgeting.
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 71.4 miles from South Union, PA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.2 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 31 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 39m 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 38m
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 South Union, 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 South Union, PA
This is one driving day of about 142.9 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from South Union, 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 Appalachian Thruway for about 29.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from South Union, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Gibraltar Park
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
mile 142.9
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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 37.2 and 142.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
37.2 mi into trip|~53m in|US 15
Take the exit onto US 15 toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
7
37.4 mi into trip|~54m in|US 15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
37.4 mi into trip|~54m in|US 15 / Market Street
Merge onto US 15 / Market Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
6
142.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.69 one way
$47.38 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$25.95
$51.89
premium
$4.93
$27.71
$55.43
diesel
$5.61
$31.55
$63.10
Estimated Tolls: $2.05
Appalachian Thruway
(29.2 mi)$2.05
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
$24
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.9
0
$15.00
$6.86
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.50
$5.72
EV Truck/SUV
57.2
0
$20.01
$9.15
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
South Union, PA
Afternoon
in South Union on Sunday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Afternoon
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
1:26 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
3 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 12m 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.
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
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 108.4
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?
The personality of this drive is best described as a turn-heavy local experience, rather than a monotonous interstate journey. With only 20% of the route on highways, you'll spend a significant amount of time on local roads, which often means more frequent turns and varying speed limits. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.2 miles on the Appalachian Thruway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This blend of highway and local roads means you'll need to stay engaged behind the wheel.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.2 mi on Appalachian Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 37.2 miles in near US 15.
Driving Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 142.9 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 37.2 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 15 / Market Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 South Union, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Washingtonville along the way.
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 12m. Total distance: 142.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.2 miles on Appalachian Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.05 in tolls one way, starting with Appalachian Thruway. 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 Reading, 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 37.2 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (US 15 / Market Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
