How far is Reading, PA from Palmdale, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Palmdale, PA is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Palmdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Palmdale.
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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
Turn right onto Palmyra Road
1529 ft · 31 sec · Palmyra Road
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17
Turn slight left onto Lingle Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Lingle Avenue
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18
Turn left onto East Chocolate Avenue
2711 ft · 1 min · East Chocolate Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue
24 m · 4 sec · Roosevelt Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Roosevelt Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Palmdale.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Reading and Mostly Sunny near Palmdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Palmdale?
The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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 24.3 miles from Reading and 24.4 miles from Palmdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.5 miles (58.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 4:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.68 one way or $15.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Reading and Mostly Sunny near Palmdale.
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 Palmdale. Straight-line distance: 36.54 mi (58.8 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palmdale
Situated in southeastern Pennsylvania, this unincorporated community lies within Dauphin County at an approximate elevation of 433 feet above sea level.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.2978700, -76.6185800 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmdale (-76.61858, 40.29787)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.46 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.93 | $8.47 | $16.94 |
| Premium | $5.31 | $9.12 | $18.25 |
| Diesel | $6.55 | $11.27 | $22.53 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026