Traveling from Tunkhannock to Reading covers 115.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because this route stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, you will find it manageable as a simple one-day excursion. You should budget roughly $19 for fuel to complete the journey, making this a cost-effective trip. While the drive is straightforward, it is best suited for a single day of travel rather than an overnight stay. Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate from the northern part of the state down toward Reading, utilizing a combination of local highways and major interstates.
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
58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
34 mi
38m
Tunkhannock Highway
15.8 mi
25m
PA 309
11.9 mi
15m
Center Avenue
10.6 mi
12m
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi
12m
Memorial Highway
9.7 mi
16m
Skyline Drive
4.4 mi
5m
Centre Street
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 34 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tunkhannock, PA and Reading, PA.
1
Start on PA 29
0.2 mi·39 sec·Bridge Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on PA 29
0.2 mi·36 sec·Tunkhannock Highway
3
Continue on PA 29
1.9 mi·3 min·Hunter Highway
4
Continue on PA 29
16 mi·24 min·Tunkhannock Highway
5
Turn left onto PA 309; PA 415
9.7 mi·16 min·Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto PA 309
12 mi·15 min·PA 309
7
Continue on I 81
34 mi·38 min·I 81
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 124BToward PA 61 North: Frackville
9
Turn straight onto PA 61
500 ft·13 sec·Skyline Drive
10
Turn uturn onto PA 61
4.3 mi·5 min·Skyline Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
1.1 mi·1 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
12
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
13
Continue on PA 61
1.6 mi·2 min·North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
0.2 mi·14 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
16
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Center Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Centre Street
18
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·17 sec·South 4th Street
19
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·North Centre Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on PA 61
2.8 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on PA 61
0.8 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
26
Turn left onto US 422 Business
0.2 mi·27 sec·Franklin Street
27
Turn left onto South 6th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·South 6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn left onto US 422 Business Alternate
278 ft·4 sec·Penn Street
29
Arrive at destination
US 422 Business Alternate
Trip Plan
Planning for this 2-hour and 35-minute trip is straightforward, as it requires only one planned stop to keep your schedule flexible. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the advantage of leaving at a time that best suits your personal preference without worrying about a multi-day itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as the $19 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition between the Tunkhannock Highway and the interstate sections, as traffic patterns can shift quickly. Use your single stop strategically to stretch your legs once you have cleared the initial 34-mile stretch on I-81.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 58 miles from Tunkhannock, PA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 25 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58 miles or 1h 22m 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 7m
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 Tunkhannock, 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 Tunkhannock, PA
This is one driving day of about 115.9 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tunkhannock, 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 I 81 for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 29 / Bridge Street
Depart onto PA 29 / Bridge Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
73.4 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Frackville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 124B
Toward PA 61 North: Frackville
8
73.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|PA 61 / Skyline Drive
Turn uturn onto PA 61 / Skyline Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Turn left onto US 422 Business / Franklin Street
Navigation decision point
6
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|South 6th Street
Turn left onto South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.04
$42.09
premium
$4.93
$22.48
$44.95
diesel
$5.61
$25.59
$51.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.14
$4.64
EV Truck/SUV
46.4
0
$16.23
$7.42
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Tunkhannock, PA
Morning
in Tunkhannock on Sunday
Local time
7:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
7:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
49°F
Shenandoah, PA
58 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
47 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
2h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 83.9
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?
This 115.9-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, balancing regional roads with interstate travel. You will spend about 42% of your time on highways, with a significant portion of the route utilizing I-81, PA 309, and the Tunkhannock Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 34-mile segment on I-81, which provides a steady rhythm before transitioning back to secondary roads. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move away from the Tunkhannock area and navigate toward your destination. The combination of varied road types keeps the drive engaging without requiring constant, high-intensity maneuvering.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 29 / Bridge Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 29 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.9 miles (PA 61 / Skyline Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 115.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 29 / Bridge Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.9 miles (PA 61 / Skyline Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Reading, PA before heading back.
