How far is Reading, PA from Allentown, PA?

The driving distance from Reading, PA to Allentown, PA is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
38.75 mi
00h 53m
Flight
29.7 mi
47.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Reading.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.7 mi
Kilometers
47.8 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.75 mi
Kilometers
62.36 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 00h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Allentown
Thu, Apr 23, 12:31 AM EDT
Return by in Reading
Thu, Apr 23, 1:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reading
2026-04-22T23:38
Arrive Allentown
Thu, Apr 23, 12:31 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Reading
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
Kutztown
PA

City in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

From Reading
17.5 mi
00h 26m
To Allentown
21.3 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
66°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Penn Street

    85 m · 9 sec · Penn Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 5th Street

    5 mi · 8 min · North 5th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Allentown Pike

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Allentown Pike

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Kutztown Road

    1156 ft · 22 sec · Kutztown Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Allentown Pike

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Allentown Pike

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Allentown Pike

    49 m · 7 sec · Allentown Pike

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Allentown Pike

    2112 ft · 46 sec · Allentown Pike

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Allentown Pike

    37 m · 5 sec · Allentown Pike

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Allentown Pike

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Allentown Pike

  10. 10

    Continue on Kutztown Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Kutztown Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Allentown Pike

    2092 ft · 39 sec · Allentown Pike

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kutztown Road

    42 m · 2 sec · Kutztown Road

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Kutztown Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Kutztown Road

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Hamilton Boulevard

    49 m · 2 sec · Hamilton Boulevard

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Hamilton Boulevard

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Hamilton Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Trexlertown Bypass

    5.7 mi · 8 min · Trexlertown Bypass

  18. 18

    Continue on West Hamilton Boulevard

    2 mi · 4 min · West Hamilton Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on Hamilton Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Hamilton Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North 15th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North 15th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Tilghman Street

    765 ft · 15 sec · Tilghman Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Tilghman Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kutztown Road
11.6 mi · 30%
Allentown Pike
6.02 mi · 16%
Trexlertown Bypass
5.68 mi · 15%
North 5th Street
5.01 mi · 13%
Hamilton Boulevard
2.47 mi · 6%
West Hamilton Boulevard
2.05 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Kutztown Road

Keep slight left

8.74 mi · 00h 11m

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
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.1 mi
29.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kutztown
00h 26m from Reading
Leave By
4:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Reading and Chance Rain Showers near Allentown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Reading to Allentown?

The road trip is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Kutztown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Reading and 21.3 miles from Allentown.

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

The direct path is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 4:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.60 one way or $11.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Kutztown

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kutztown, 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 Kutztown.

RAIL

Exton

57 mi away
425 Walkertown Road
RAIL

Downingtown

58 mi away
West Lancaster Ave. and Stuart Ave.
RAIL

Paoli

58 mi away
13 Lancaster Ave.
RAIL

Coatesville

59 mi away
Third Ave. and Fleetwood St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Allentown. Straight-line distance: 29.7 mi (47.8 km).

Reading

#1 Reading

The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population88,217
Coordinates40.3356500, -75.9268700
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Allentown

#2 Allentown

The third most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population121,470
Coordinates40.6084300, -75.4901800
Altitude103
CountryUnited States
Start: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)
End: Tilghman Street (-75.490007, 40.608068)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.37 gal
5.18 L · about $5.60
Round trip
$11.20
2.74 gal · 10.36 L
Estimated CO2
12.2 kg one way
Round trip: 24.4 kg / 54 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $5.60 $11.20
Mid-grade $4.60 $6.30 $12.60
Premium $4.95 $6.79 $13.57
Diesel $5.98 $8.19 $16.39

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 Reading and Allentown. The current time is 23:38:11.

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.