How far is Reading, PA from Central City, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Central City, PA is about 180.3 miles (290.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
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.
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1
Start on Penn Street
1917 ft · 40 sec · Penn Street
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2
Continue on Penn Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · Penn Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight left
1411 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 13 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver
1843 ft · 52 sec
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6
Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard
1518 ft · 39 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard
2931 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg
3107 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
141.4 mi · 2 hr 34 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Altoona, Johnstown
1522 ft · 37 sec
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11
Turn slight right onto Bedford
51 m · 5 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Business 220
1435 ft · 40 sec · Business 220
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13
Turn right onto Weber Lane
1.6 km · 4 min · Weber Lane
-
14
Turn left onto Country Ridge Road
1421 ft · 52 sec · Country Ridge Road
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15
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
6 mi · 8 min · Lincoln Highway
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16
Continue on Pitt Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Pitt Street
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17
Continue on Lincoln Highway
10.8 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Highway
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18
Turn right onto Rock Cut Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Rock Cut Road
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19
Turn slight right onto Lambert Street
2667 ft · 59 sec · Lambert Street
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20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
669 ft · 13 sec · Central Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Sunshine Avenue
1914 ft · 40 sec · Sunshine Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Main Street
31 m · 10 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn left
36 m · 9 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Central City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
141 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Reading and Chance Rain Showers 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 180.3 miles (290.1 km) and usually takes 03h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Washington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Reading and 90.3 miles from Central City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.00 one way or $55.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Reading and Chance Rain Showers near Central City.
Stop Ideas Near Washington
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 Washington.
Lewistown
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Huntingdon
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Central City. Straight-line distance: 152.47 mi (245.37 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central City
Situated at an elevation of 2,185 feet in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, this borough is located within the Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.1106300, -78.8019700 |
| Altitude | 666 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central City (-78.80197, 40.11063)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.40 | $28.00 | $55.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.82 | $30.67 | $61.35 |
| Premium | $5.27 | $33.54 | $67.09 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $41.86 | $83.72 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026