How far is Reading, PA from Hickory, PA?

The driving distance from Reading, PA to Hickory, PA is about 274.6 miles (441.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.8 miles (371.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
274.56 mi
05h 30m
Flight
230.83 mi
371.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Reading.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
230.83 mi
Kilometers
371.49 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.56 mi
Kilometers
441.86 km
Drive Time
05h 30m

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 05h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hickory
Thu, Apr 16, 4:18 AM EDT
Return by in Reading
Thu, Apr 16, 9:49 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reading
2026-04-15T22:47
Arrive Hickory
Thu, Apr 16, 4:18 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:31 AM to 1:31 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:58 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Reading
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Valley-Hi
PA

Borough of Pennsylvania

From Reading
137.1 mi
02h 45m
To Hickory
137.5 mi
02h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SW
Destination
82°F
This Afternoon

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Hickory.

  1. 1

    Start on Penn Street

    1917 ft · 40 sec · Penn Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Penn Avenue

    2.6 mi · 5 min · Penn Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left

    1411 ft · 35 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 13 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 76, PATP, PA 272: PA Turnpike, Denver

    1843 ft · 52 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Colonel Howard Boulevard

    1518 ft · 39 sec · Colonel Howard Boulevard

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Colonel Howard Boulevard

    2931 ft · 1 min · Colonel Howard Boulevard

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 76 Toll West: Harrisburg

    3107 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

    212.1 mi · 3 hr 52 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West, US 119, PA Turnpike 66 Toll: Greensburg, Wheeling WV, New Stanton

    2253 ft · 55 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 West: New Stanton, Washington PA, Wheeling WV, Columbus OH

    30 mi · 42 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Dunningsville

    841 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight right onto Brownlee Road

    3.5 mi · 8 min · Brownlee Road

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    6 m · 1 sec

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout

    145 m · 10 sec

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    39 m · 2 sec

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout

    4.1 mi · 7 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Hill Church Houston Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Hill Church Houston Road

  19. 19

    Continue on South Main Street

    1534 ft · 38 sec · South Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Pike Street

    78 m · 7 sec · West Pike Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Western Avenue

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Western Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Westland Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Westland Road

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Main Street

    2506 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212 mi · 77%
I 70 West
30.4 mi · 11%
Penn Avenue
12.7 mi · 5%
Brownlee Road
7.74 mi · 3%
Western Avenue
4.17 mi · 2%
Westland Road
2.92 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike

212 mi · 03h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.8 mi
230.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valley-Hi
02h 45m from Reading
Leave By
5:58 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Reading and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hickory.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Reading to Hickory?

The road trip is about 274.6 miles (441.9 km) and usually takes 05h 30m 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?

Valley-Hi is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.1 miles from Reading and 137.5 miles from Hickory.

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

The direct path is about 230.8 miles (371.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:58 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.59 one way or $79.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Reading and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hickory.

Stop Ideas Near Valley-Hi

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

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

BUS

Hancock, MD

37 mi away
434 East Main Street
RAIL

Huntingdon

53 mi away
Fourth and Allegheny Sts.
RAIL

Altoona Transportation Center

57 mi away
1231 11th Avenue
BUS

Hagerstown, MD

59 mi away
123 West Franklin Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Hickory. Straight-line distance: 230.83 mi (371.49 km).

Reading

#1 Reading

The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

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

#2 Hickory

Census-designated place in Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States

Population2,373
Coordinates40.2989600, -80.3086700
Altitude399
CountryUnited States
Start: Reading (-75.92687, 40.33565)
End: Hickory (-80.30867, 40.29896)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 442 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.69 gal
36.67 L · about $39.59
Round trip
$79.19
19.38 gal · 73.34 L
Estimated CO2
86.1 kg one way
Round trip: 172.2 kg / 380 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $39.59 $79.19
Mid-grade $4.60 $44.56 $89.13
Premium $4.95 $48.00 $96.01
Diesel $5.98 $57.95 $115.89

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Reading and Hickory. The current time is 22:47:42.

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.