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Trip from Southwest Greensburg, PA to Reading, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 29m

Distance

233 mi

375 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 16m ★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Southwest Greensburg, PA, PA

Southwest Greensburg, PA

Jack Pace

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 234.9-mile journey from Southwest Greensburg, PA, to Reading, PA, will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll navigate using local roads, including Green Street, South Main Street, and Franklin Street, with no highway segments, making it a 100% local road experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, it offers a more engaging drive than a typical interstate commute, allowing you to experience the local landscape directly.

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

116.5 miles from Southwest Greensburg, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike 212.3 mi 3h 52m
US 222 7.4 mi 9m
US 222 BUS 4.9 mi 8m
Franklin Street 4.7 mi 9m
South Main Street 1 mi 2m
Colonel Howard Boulevard 0.7 mi 1m
I 70 0.6 mi 1m
South 5th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike — 212.3 mi, about 3h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southwest Greensburg, PA and Reading, PA.

1

Start on Weaver Street

255 ft · 13 sec · Weaver Street
2

Turn right onto Green Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Green Street
3

Turn right onto US 119; PA 819; PA 66 BUS

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
4

Continue on US 119

4.6 mi · 9 min · Franklin Street
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on I 70

0.2 mi · 22 sec · I 70
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

0.4 mi · 1 min · I 70
Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
8

Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP

212 mi · 3 hr 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata Use the slight right lane.
10

Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
11

Keep slight left at fork onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 222 North: Reading
13

Merge onto US 222

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 222
14

Continue on US 222

4.1 mi · 5 min · US 222
15

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS

4.9 mi · 8 min · US 222 BUS
Toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn left onto US 222 BUS

0.4 mi · 47 sec · South 5th Street
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto US 422 Business

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Franklin Street
18

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate

278 ft · 4 sec · Penn Street
20

Arrive at destination

US 422 Business Alternate

Trip Plan

For this 234.9-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays on local roads. With a duration of under 4 hours, it's a straightforward day trip, but the frequent turns mean you should still plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as you won't have the convenience of long highway stretches to find services. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for the numerous intersections and traffic lights, as these will be the primary determinants of your travel time, making adherence to posted speed limits crucial.

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 116.5 miles from Southwest Greensburg, PA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.3 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 116.5 miles or 2h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 36m

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 Southwest Greensburg, 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 Southwest Greensburg, PA

This is one driving day of about 233 miles and 4h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Southwest Greensburg, 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 212.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Hancock, MD, MD

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hancock, MD

117 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

Geistown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hancock, MD

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.5 miles from Southwest Greensburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.3 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.

Best meal stop

Parkwood Inn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17248342332

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

1.2 mi

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

1.5 mi

Parkwood Inn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17248342332

Visit website

Spice Restaurant & Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 2–11 pm

+17176913131

Visit website

Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17246891300

Visit website

Nino's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: Closed

+17245472900

Visit website

Persichetti's Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17245275553

Visit website

The Nest Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $40 to $50

Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5–8 pm

+17245279880

Visit website

The Village

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania

Hours: 4–8:30 pm

+17245473529

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Acme, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18778337829

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+33172676914

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

Gibraltar Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 227.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
5.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh

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 I 70 East, I 76, PATP: Harrisburg, Pitts...
6
6.1 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 70

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 70 East, I 76 East: Harrisburg
7
218.9 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata

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 US 222: Reading, Ephrata
6
219.8 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 222 North: Reading

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 222 North: Reading
7
227.4 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in | US 222 BUS

Take the exit onto US 222 BUS toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington

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 US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shill...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.63 one way

$77.26 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $42.31 $84.61
premium $4.93 $45.19 $90.37
diesel $5.61 $51.44 $102.89

Estimated Tolls: $27.60

Pennsylvania Turnpike (212.3 mi) $27.60

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

$39

Tolls

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$91–$116

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.9 0 $24.46 $11.18
Efficient EV 58.3 0 $20.39 $9.32
EV Truck/SUV 93.2 1 $32.62 $14.91

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Southwest Greensburg, PA

Morning in Southwest Greensburg on Tuesday

Local time

8:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Reading, PA

Morning in Reading on Tuesday

Local time

8:09 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Hancock, MD

117 mi in

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

1 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

4h 29m 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 is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through communities rather than cruising on high-speed roads. With a highway share of 0%, expect a consistent pace dictated by local traffic and road conditions. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch further emphasizes the stop-and-go, turn-by-turn nature of this journey. As you progress, the road will likely transition through various towns and smaller settlements, offering a dynamic driving experience without prolonged stretches of monotonous highway.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike and US 222. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 233 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Southwest Greensburg, PA to Reading, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Ephrata along the way.

Ephrata

218.9 mi in | ~4h 6m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 4h 29m. Total distance: 233 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 212.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $27.60 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 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 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Reading, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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