How far is Reading, PA from Hershey, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Hershey, PA is about 50.2 miles (80.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m 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 01h 11m.
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.
Census-designated place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Hershey.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Hershey.
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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
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9
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
19.8 mi · 21 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
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10
Take the exit slight right toward PA 72: Lebanon, Manheim
1385 ft · 34 sec
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11
Continue straight
708 ft · 17 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on PA 72 North: Lebanon, Hershey
45 m · 10 sec
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13
Turn left onto Lebanon Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Lebanon Road
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14
Turn straight onto Horseshoe Pike
7.7 mi · 12 min · Horseshoe Pike
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15
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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16
Continue on Horseshoe Pike
1.3 km · 2 min · Horseshoe Pike
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17
Continue on East Governor Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Governor Road
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Governor Road
28 m · 2 sec · East Governor Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto East Governor Road
2172 ft · 37 sec · East Governor Road
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Homestead Lane
7 m · 1 sec · Homestead Lane
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Homestead Lane
3104 ft · 1 min · Homestead Lane
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22
Turn left onto Meadow Lane
32 m · 5 sec · Meadow Lane
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23
Turn right onto Homestead Road
2585 ft · 1 min · Homestead Road
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24
Turn left onto East Chocolate Avenue
1561 ft · 57 sec · East Chocolate Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto Park Avenue
71 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue
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26
Turn right
109 m · 30 sec
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27
Turn right
103 m · 25 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Hershey.
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.
Pennsylvania Turnpike
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
19.8 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Reading and Chance Rain Showers near Hershey.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Hershey?
The road trip is about 50.2 miles (80.8 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Clay is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.1 miles from Reading and 25.2 miles from Hershey.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.23 one way or $14.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Reading and Chance Rain Showers near Hershey.
Stop Ideas Near Clay
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 Clay.
Lancaster station
Mount Joy
Elizabethtown station
Parkesburg
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Hershey. Straight-line distance: 38.26 mi (61.58 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Hershey
Census designated place
| Population | 14,257 |
| Coordinates | 40.2859200, -76.6502500 |
| Altitude | 129 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hershey (-76.65025, 40.28592)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 81 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.23 | $14.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.14 | $16.28 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $8.77 | $17.54 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $10.58 | $21.17 |
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.