How far is Columbus, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Columbus, PA to Reading, PA is about 290.6 miles (467.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220.2 miles (354.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 05h 31m.
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.
Borough of Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Reading.
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1
Start on PA-957
4 m · 5 sec · PA-957
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2
Turn left onto Erie Street
853 ft · 31 sec · Erie Street
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3
Turn left onto Route 6
1.6 mi · 3 min · Route 6
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4
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
15.6 mi · 22 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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5
Continue on Youngsville Bypass
1.4 mi · 2 min · Youngsville Bypass
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6
Continue on Warren Bypass
8.6 mi · 13 min · Warren Bypass
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7
Continue on Crescent Park
1.8 mi · 4 min · Crescent Park
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8
Continue on Main Street
1169 ft · 35 sec · Main Street
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9
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
2.9 mi · 5 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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10
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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11
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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12
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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13
Take the exit slight right toward PA 666 West
81 m · 9 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto South Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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15
Continue straight
8.5 mi · 12 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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17
Turn right
15.2 mi · 23 min
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18
Turn left onto West Main Street
1 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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19
Continue on Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi · 16 min · Boot Jack Road
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20
Turn left onto Penfield Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · Penfield Road
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21
Continue on Hoovertown Road
5 mi · 9 min · Hoovertown Road
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22
Continue on State Park Road
8.1 mi · 14 min · State Park Road
-
23
Turn left
1681 ft · 41 sec
-
24
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
112.7 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Keystone Shortway
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25
Take the exit slight right toward PA 54: Danville, Washingtonville
1080 ft · 27 sec
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26
Turn slight left
24 m · 3 sec
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27
Turn right onto Continental Boulevard
2.9 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard
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28
Continue on Factory Street
716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street
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29
Continue on Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
1799 ft · 49 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
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30
Turn left onto Elysburg Road
9.7 mi · 11 min · Elysburg Road
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31
Continue on State Route 54
11.1 mi · 13 min · State Route 54
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32
Continue on Locust Gap Highway
1897 ft · 42 sec · Locust Gap Highway
-
33
Continue on Fairgrounds Road
2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road
-
34
Continue on Sunbury Road
9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road
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35
Continue on Sunbury Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Sunbury Street
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36
Turn right onto Pottsville Minersville Highway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway
-
37
Turn right onto Gordon Nagle Trail
4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Nagle Trail
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38
Continue on North Sillyman Street
1281 ft · 33 sec · North Sillyman Street
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39
Turn left onto Pottsville Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Pottsville Street
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40
Turn right onto Route 61 South
150 m · 6 sec · Route 61 South
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41
Continue on Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue
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42
Continue on Centre Street
4.2 mi · 6 min · Centre Street
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43
Continue on South 4th Street
1328 ft · 17 sec · South 4th Street
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44
Continue on Pottsville Pike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
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45
Continue on Shoemaker Avenue
3246 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
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46
Continue on Pottsville Pike
3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike
-
47
Continue on North Centre Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · North Centre Avenue
-
48
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
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49
Continue on Centre Avenue
2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
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50
Continue on North 4th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North 4th Street
-
51
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1101 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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52
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
-
53
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
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54
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Reading.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Keystone Shortway
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
113 mi · 02h 01m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Reading?
The road trip is about 290.6 miles (467.6 km) and usually takes 05h 31m 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?
Central City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 142.5 miles from Columbus and 148.1 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220.2 miles (354.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.88 one way or $83.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbus and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Central City
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 Central City.
Lewistown
Tyrone
Huntingdon
Altoona Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Reading. Straight-line distance: 220.13 mi (354.27 km).
#1 Columbus
Census-designated place in Warren County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,899 |
| Coordinates | 41.9408900, -79.5817200 |
| Altitude | 428 |
| 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: 468 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $41.88 | $83.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $47.14 | $94.28 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $50.78 | $101.56 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $61.30 | $122.59 |
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 · May 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.