How far is Luzerne, PA from Reading, PA?

Fastest route

Here's the suggested route from Luzerne, Pennsylvania, to Reading, Pennsylvania: The distance is approximately 87.3 miles (140.4 kilometers) and the estimated travel time is 1 hour and 48 minutes via I-81 S.

Directions

  1. Head southeast on Main St toward Allen St.
  2. Continue straight onto Union St.
  3. Turn left to merge onto PA-309 S toward Wilkes-Barre/I-81.
  4. Take I-81 S and continue to follow it until you reach exit 138 for PA-309 S toward Tamaqua.
  5. Merge onto PA-309 S and continue on this road.
  6. Get on US-222 S in Muhlenberg Township by taking PA-443 W and PA-61 S.
  7. Merge onto US-222 S and take the US-422 BUS E exit from US-422 E.
  8. Keep left to continue on US-422 E, then exit onto US-422 BUS E/Penn Ave toward Penn St/Reading.
  9. Continue on US-422 BUS E/Penn Ave, then turn left onto Franklin St.
  10. Finally, turn left at the 2nd cross street onto Penn St in Reading.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan your trip in advance and consider the estimated travel time to reach your destination on time.
  • ⛽ Make sure to have enough fuel in your vehicle before starting the journey.
  • 🚧 Stay updated on traffic conditions and road closures to avoid delays.
  • 🍽️ Pack some snacks and drinks for the road to keep you refreshed during the trip.
  • 📱 Keep your phone charged and have a car charger handy in case you need to use navigation or make calls.
  • 🧭 Consider using a GPS or a navigation app to ensure you stay on the right track.
  • 🛣️ Familiarize yourself with the route and have a map on hand as a backup in case technology fails.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
87.42 mi
01h 49m
Flight
65.65 mi
105.66 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Luzerne.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.65 mi
Kilometers
105.66 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.42 mi
Kilometers
140.69 km
Drive Time
01h 49m

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 01h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Reading
Thu, Apr 23, 1:16 AM EDT
Return by in Luzerne
Thu, Apr 23, 3:05 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Luzerne
2026-04-22T23:26
Arrive Reading
Thu, Apr 23, 1:16 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:50 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Luzerne
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Mahanoy City
PA

Borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States

From Luzerne
46.7 mi
00h 54m
To Reading
40.8 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Luzerne and Reading.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Luzerne and Reading.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    678 ft · 25 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Union Street

    2454 ft · 1 min · Union Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1529 ft · 37 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    11.9 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    34 mi · 39 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 61 North: Frackville

    2062 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Skyline Drive

    153 m · 14 sec · Skyline Drive

  9. 9

    Turn uturn onto Skyline Drive

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Skyline Drive

  10. 10

    Continue on Joseph H. Long Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on Pottsville Saint Clair Highway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on North Claude A. Lord Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Claude A. Lord Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Pottsville Boulevard

    1152 ft · 15 sec · Pottsville Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Route 61 South

    3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South

  15. 15

    Continue on Center Avenue

    10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Centre Street

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Centre Street

  17. 17

    Continue on South 4th Street

    1328 ft · 17 sec · South 4th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike

  19. 19

    Continue on Shoemaker Avenue

    3246 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike

  21. 21

    Continue on North Centre Avenue

    1.6 km · 1 min · North Centre Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike

  23. 23

    Continue on Centre Avenue

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on North 4th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · North 4th Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Franklin Street

    1101 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto South 6th Street

    599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Penn Street

    85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Luzerne and Reading.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
28 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Union Street
50.8 mi · 58%
Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 12%
Pottsville Pike
10.2 mi · 12%
Skyline Drive
4.36 mi · 5%
Centre Street
4.15 mi · 5%
Route 61 South
3 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Union Street

Continue straight

34 mi · 00h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.7 mi
65.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mahanoy City
00h 54m from Luzerne
Leave By
2:50 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Luzerne and 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 Luzerne to Reading?

The road trip is about 87.4 miles (140.7 km) and usually takes 01h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mahanoy City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.7 miles from Luzerne and 40.8 miles from Reading.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 65.7 miles (105.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:50 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.63 one way or $25.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Luzerne and Chance Rain Showers near Reading.

Stop Ideas Near Mahanoy City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mahanoy City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mahanoy City.

BUS

White Haven, PA

47 mi away
I-476, Exit 95/I-80, Exit 277, at Hwy 940
BUS

Wilkes-Barre, PA

53 mi away
47 South Washington Street
BUS

Scranton, PA

77 mi away
23 Lackawanna Avenue
RAIL

Elizabethtown station

84 mi away
South Wilson Avenue at West High Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Luzerne and Reading. Straight-line distance: 65.65 mi (105.66 km).

Luzerne

#1 Luzerne

Borough in central Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population2,851
Coordinates41.2856400, -75.9010300
Altitude186
CountryUnited States
Reading

#2 Reading

The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population88,217
Coordinates40.3356500, -75.9268700
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-75.901171, 41.285508)
End: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.09 gal
11.68 L · about $12.63
Round trip
$25.25
6.18 gal · 23.36 L
Estimated CO2
27.5 kg one way
Round trip: 54.9 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $12.63 $25.25
Mid-grade $4.60 $14.21 $28.42
Premium $4.95 $15.31 $30.62
Diesel $5.98 $18.48 $36.96

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Luzerne and Reading. The current time is 23:26:28.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.