How far is Reading, PA from Central City, PA?

The driving distance from Reading, PA to Central City, PA is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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
144.23 mi
02h 52m
Flight
106.82 mi
171.91 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
106.82 mi
Kilometers
171.91 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.23 mi
Kilometers
232.11 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Central City
Sun, Apr 19, 7:22 AM EDT
Return by in Reading
Sun, Apr 19, 10:14 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reading
2026-04-19T04:30
Arrive Central City
Sun, Apr 19, 7:22 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:46 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
Danville
PA

Borough in southern Montour County, Pennsylvania

From Reading
72 mi
01h 26m
To Central City
72.2 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Central City.

  1. 1

    Start on Penn Street

    85 m · 9 sec · Penn Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 5th Street

    2689 ft · 56 sec · North 5th Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto Centre Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Centre Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike

  5. 5

    Continue on South Centre Avenue

    1.6 km · 1 min · South Centre Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike

  7. 7

    Continue on Shoemaker Avenue

    3219 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike

  9. 9

    Continue on South 4th Street

    1321 ft · 19 sec · South 4th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Pottsville Pike

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike

  11. 11

    Continue on Centre Turnpike

    10.6 mi · 13 min · Centre Turnpike

  12. 12

    Continue on Route 61 South

    3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South

  13. 13

    Continue on Pottsville Boulevard

    1434 ft · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard

    797 ft · 21 sec · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Mauch Chunk Street

    563 ft · 11 sec · Mauch Chunk Street

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Centre Street

    2134 ft · 39 sec · South Centre Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Market Street

    2.3 mi · 5 min · West Market Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Pottsville Minersville Highway

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Minersville Highway

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Sunbury Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Sunbury Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Sunbury Road

    9.4 mi · 11 min · Sunbury Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Fairgrounds Road

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Fairgrounds Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Locust Gap Highway

    1810 ft · 43 sec · Locust Gap Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Locust Gap Highway

    11.1 mi · 13 min · Locust Gap Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on South Market Street

    9.7 mi · 11 min · South Market Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

    1799 ft · 46 sec · Danville-Riverside Bridge Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Factory Street

    716 ft · 20 sec · Factory Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Continental Boulevard

    3 mi · 4 min · Continental Boulevard

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right

    2146 ft · 52 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

    66.2 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Keystone Shortway

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 150 , US 220 Alt. south: Milesburg, Blanchard

    1731 ft · 42 sec

  31. 31

    Keep slight right

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  32. 32

    Turn slight right onto Milesburg, Bellefonte, State College

    932 ft · 34 sec

  33. 33

    Keep slight left

    120 m · 19 sec

  34. 34

    Turn left onto Moose Run Road

    1091 ft · 27 sec · Moose Run Road

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Moose Run Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
35 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Keystone Shortway
66.2 mi · 46%
Pottsville Pike
14.4 mi · 10%
Locust Gap Highway
11.5 mi · 8%
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi · 7%
South Market Street
9.74 mi · 7%
Sunbury Road
9.37 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Keystone Shortway

Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

66.2 mi · 01h 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
02h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.4 mi
106.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Danville
01h 26m from Reading
Leave By
12:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Reading and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Central City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Reading to Central City?

The road trip is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?

Danville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72 miles from Reading and 72.2 miles from Central City.

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

The direct path is about 106.8 miles (171.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.80 one way or $41.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Reading and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Central City.

Stop Ideas Near Danville

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

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

BUS

Wilkes-Barre, PA

69 mi away
47 South Washington Street
BUS

White Haven, PA

77 mi away
I-476, Exit 95/I-80, Exit 277, at Hwy 940
RAIL

Harrisburg Transportation Center

81 mi away
4th and Chestnut Streets
RAIL

Middletown

86 mi away
Union Street and Mill Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Central City. Straight-line distance: 106.82 mi (171.91 km).

Reading

#1 Reading

The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population88,217
Coordinates40.3356500, -75.9268700
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Central City

Borough of Pennsylvania

Population1,021
Coordinates40.9500600, -77.7966700
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: Reading (-75.92687, 40.33565)
End: Central City (-77.79667, 40.95006)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.09 gal
19.27 L · about $20.80
Round trip
$41.60
10.18 gal · 38.54 L
Estimated CO2
45.2 kg one way
Round trip: 90.5 kg / 200 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $20.80 $41.60
Mid-grade $4.60 $23.41 $46.82
Premium $4.95 $25.22 $50.43
Diesel $5.98 $30.44 $60.88

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

There is no time difference between Reading and Central City. The current time is 04:30:09.

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.