How far is Reading, PA from Back Mountain, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Back Mountain, PA is about 99.9 miles (160.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 19m 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 02h 09m.
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.
Township in northeastern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Back Mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Back Mountain.
-
1
Start on Penn Street
85 m · 9 sec · Penn Street
-
2
Turn right onto North 5th Street
2689 ft · 56 sec · North 5th Street
-
3
Turn slight left onto Centre Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Centre Avenue
-
4
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
-
5
Continue on South Centre Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Centre Avenue
-
6
Continue on Pottsville Pike
3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike
-
7
Continue on Shoemaker Avenue
3219 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
-
8
Continue on Pottsville Pike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
-
9
Continue on South 4th Street
1321 ft · 19 sec · South 4th Street
-
10
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.2 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
-
11
Continue on Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi · 13 min · Centre Turnpike
-
12
Continue on Route 61 South
3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South
-
13
Continue on Pottsville Boulevard
1434 ft · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
-
14
Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
-
15
Continue on Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
-
16
Continue on Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi · 6 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Hazleton
1662 ft · 40 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
45.8 mi · 54 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward PA 115 east, PA 309 north: Wilkes-Barre
10.7 mi · 19 min
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Memorial Highway
64 m · 5 sec · Memorial Highway
-
21
Exit the roundabout onto Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Memorial Highway
-
22
Turn left
2575 ft · 42 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Back Mountain.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Merge slight left
45.8 mi · 00h 54m
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.
Sunny leaving Reading and Sunny near Back Mountain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Back Mountain?
The road trip is about 99.9 miles (160.8 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?
Delano is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50 miles from Reading and 50 miles from Back Mountain.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.2 miles (111.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.7 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 2:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.42 one way or $28.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Reading and Sunny near Back Mountain.
Stop Ideas Near Delano
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 Delano.
White Haven, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Scranton, PA
Mount Joy
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Back Mountain. Straight-line distance: 69.21 mi (111.38 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Back Mountain
Unincorporated community
| Population | 26,973 |
| Coordinates | 41.3359100, -75.9963100 |
| Altitude | 389 |
| Country | United States |
End: Back Mountain (-75.99631, 41.33591)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 161 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $14.42 | $28.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $16.23 | $32.47 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $17.49 | $34.98 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $21.11 | $42.22 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.