How far is Preston, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Preston, PA to Reading, PA is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 in central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston and Reading.
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1
Start on Chester Street
87 m · 17 sec · Chester Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South Main Street
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3
Turn left
1430 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto South Cross Valley Expressway
1191 ft · 19 sec · South Cross Valley Expressway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Hazleton
2073 ft · 52 sec
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6
Merge slight left
39.8 mi · 46 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward PA 61 North: Frackville
2062 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn straight onto Skyline Drive
153 m · 14 sec · Skyline Drive
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9
Turn uturn onto Skyline Drive
4.3 mi · 5 min · Skyline Drive
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10
Continue on Joseph H. Long Boulevard
1.1 mi · 1 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
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11
Continue on Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
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12
Continue on North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Claude A. Lord Boulevard
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13
Continue on Pottsville Boulevard
1152 ft · 15 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
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14
Continue on Route 61 South
3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South
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15
Continue on Center Avenue
10.6 mi · 13 min · Center Avenue
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16
Continue on Centre Street
4.2 mi · 6 min · Centre Street
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17
Continue on South 4th Street
1328 ft · 17 sec · South 4th Street
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18
Continue on Pottsville Pike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
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19
Continue on Shoemaker Avenue
3246 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
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20
Continue on Pottsville Pike
3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike
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21
Continue on North Centre Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · North Centre Avenue
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22
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
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23
Continue on Centre Avenue
2.8 mi · 4 min · Centre Avenue
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24
Continue on North 4th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North 4th Street
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25
Turn left onto Franklin Street
1101 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
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26
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
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27
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston and Reading.
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.
I 81 South
Merge slight left
39.8 mi · 00h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Preston 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 Preston to Reading?
The road trip is about 78.2 miles (125.9 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Frackville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.1 miles from Preston and 36.1 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 3:08 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.28 one way or $22.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Preston and Mostly Sunny near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near Frackville
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 Frackville.
White Haven, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Elizabethtown station
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston and Reading. Straight-line distance: 60.22 mi (96.91 km).
#1 Preston
Township in Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,003 |
| Coordinates | 41.2070300, -75.9054800 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.28 | $22.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $12.69 | $25.39 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $13.67 | $27.35 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $16.50 | $33.01 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.