How far is Reading, PA from Charlestown, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Charlestown, PA is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.1 miles (178.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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 44m.
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 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Charlestown.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Charlestown.
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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
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
97.6 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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10
Take the exit slight right toward PA 75: Willow Hill, Fort Loudon
2697 ft · 1 min
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11
Continue on Willow Hill Interchange
1495 ft · 34 sec · Willow Hill Interchange
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12
Turn right onto Path Valley Road
14.3 mi · 25 min · Path Valley Road
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13
Continue on Fort Loudon Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Fort Loudon Road
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14
Turn right onto Mountain Road
3.6 mi · 7 min · Mountain Road
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15
Turn sharp left onto Buchanan Trail West
3119 ft · 1 min · Buchanan Trail West
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Buchanan Trail West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Charlestown.
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
97.6 mi · 01h 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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Reading and Mostly Cloudy near Charlestown.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Charlestown?
The road trip is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?
Mechanicsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.1 miles from Reading and 66.4 miles from Charlestown.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.1 miles (178.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Reading and Mostly Cloudy near Charlestown.
Stop Ideas Near Mechanicsburg
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 Mechanicsburg.
Harrisburg Transportation Center
Middletown
Elizabethtown station
Mount Joy
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Charlestown. Straight-line distance: 111.08 mi (178.76 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Charlestown
Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,328 |
| Coordinates | 39.8600900, -77.9344400 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Charlestown (-77.93444, 39.86009)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 213 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $19.12 | $38.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $21.52 | $43.05 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $23.18 | $46.37 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $27.99 | $55.97 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.