How far is Reading, PA from Preston, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Preston, PA is about 83.2 miles (133.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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 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 central Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Preston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Preston.
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1
Start on Penn Street
85 m · 9 sec · Penn Street
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2
Turn right onto North 5th Street
2689 ft · 56 sec · North 5th Street
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3
Turn slight left onto Centre Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Centre Avenue
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4
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
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5
Continue on South Centre Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Centre Avenue
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6
Continue on Pottsville Pike
3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike
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7
Continue on Shoemaker Avenue
3219 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
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8
Continue on Pottsville Pike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
-
9
Continue on South 4th Street
1321 ft · 19 sec · South 4th Street
-
10
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.2 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
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11
Continue on Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi · 13 min · Centre Turnpike
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12
Continue on Route 61 South
3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South
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13
Continue on Pottsville Boulevard
1434 ft · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
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14
Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
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15
Continue on Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
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16
Continue on Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi · 6 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Hazleton
1662 ft · 40 sec
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18
Merge slight left
40 mi · 47 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward PA 29 north: Nanticoke
1 km · 2 min
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20
Continue on South Cross Valley Expressway
1629 ft · 25 sec · South Cross Valley Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Sugar Notch, Ashley
883 ft · 30 sec
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22
Turn slight right
49 m · 4 sec
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23
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
24
Turn right onto Chester Street
87 m · 13 sec · Chester Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chester Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Preston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 81 North
Merge slight left
40 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Reading and Rain Showers near Preston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Preston?
The road trip is about 83.2 miles (133.9 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Frackville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.6 miles from Reading and 41.6 miles from Preston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.2 miles (96.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 3:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.97 one way or $23.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Reading and Rain Showers near Preston.
Stop Ideas Near Frackville
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 Frackville.
White Haven, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Elizabethtown station
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Preston. Straight-line distance: 60.22 mi (96.91 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Preston
Township in Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Population | 1,003 |
| Coordinates | 41.2070300, -75.9054800 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Preston (-75.90548, 41.20703)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $11.97 | $23.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.48 | $26.95 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $14.52 | $29.03 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $17.52 | $35.04 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.