How far is Central City, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Central City, PA to Reading, PA is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Reading.
-
1
Start on the route
36 m · 11 sec
-
2
Turn right onto Main Street
31 m · 9 sec · Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto Sunshine Avenue
1914 ft · 38 sec · Sunshine Avenue
-
4
Continue on Central Avenue
669 ft · 16 sec · Central Avenue
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lambert Street
2667 ft · 53 sec · Lambert Street
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6
Turn slight left onto Rock Cut Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Rock Cut Road
-
7
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
10.8 mi · 18 min · Lincoln Highway
-
8
Continue on Pitt Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Pitt Street
-
9
Continue on Lincoln Highway
6 mi · 9 min · Lincoln Highway
-
10
Turn left onto Country Ridge Road
1421 ft · 50 sec · Country Ridge Road
-
11
Turn right onto Weber Lane
1.6 km · 4 min · Weber Lane
-
12
Turn left onto Business 220
1593 ft · 46 sec · Business 220
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13
Take the ramp left toward I 70, I 76, PATP: Pittsburgh, Harrisburg
921 ft · 22 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 East, I 70 East: Harrisburg
2050 ft · 50 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
141.3 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 222: Reading, Ephrata
1054 ft · 36 sec
-
17
Continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
3108 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
623 ft · 15 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
-
19
Keep slight right to continue on US 222 North: Reading
1468 ft · 36 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
21
Continue straight
4.1 mi · 6 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue, Shillington
4.9 mi · 9 min
-
23
Turn left onto South 5th Street
2195 ft · 47 sec · South 5th Street
-
24
Turn right onto Franklin Street
550 ft · 17 sec · Franklin Street
-
25
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
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26
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and Reading.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
141 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Central City and Mostly Sunny near Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Central City to Reading?
The road trip is about 184.9 miles (297.6 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Washington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Central City and 95.2 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.75 one way or $57.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Central City and Mostly Sunny near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Washington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Washington.
Lewistown
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Huntingdon
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Reading. Straight-line distance: 152.47 mi (245.37 km).
#1 Central City
Situated at an elevation of 2,185 feet in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, this borough is located within the Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.1106300, -78.8019700 |
| Altitude | 666 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
End: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.40 | $28.75 | $57.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.82 | $31.49 | $62.99 |
| Premium | $5.27 | $34.44 | $68.88 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $42.98 | $85.96 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Pennsylvania · Nov 06, 2026