How far is Reading, PA from Sparta, PA?

The driving distance from Reading, PA to Sparta, PA is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 232.8 miles (374.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 14m 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
280.31 mi
05h 37m
Flight
232.77 mi
374.61 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
232.77 mi
Kilometers
374.61 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
280.31 mi
Kilometers
451.11 km
Drive Time
05h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sparta
Sun, May 31, 9:53 AM EDT
Return by in Reading
Sun, May 31, 3:30 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reading
2026-05-31T04:15
Arrive Sparta
Sun, May 31, 9:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:37 AM to 1:37 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
5:46 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
139.9 mi
02h 48m
To Sparta
140.4 mi
02h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
73°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    38.5 mi · 53 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 136

    683 ft · 23 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Lakeview Drive

    157 m · 11 sec · Lakeview Drive

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Beau Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · East Beau Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Jefferson Avenue

    1154 ft · 36 sec · South Jefferson Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Maiden Street

    2202 ft · 1 min · West Maiden Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Park Avenue

    7.4 mi · 13 min · Park Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Prosperity Pike

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Prosperity Pike

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Sparta Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Sparta Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Sparta Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Sparta Road

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Prosperity Pike

    1198 ft · 26 sec · Prosperity Pike

  22. 22

    Turn right onto McCormick Lane

    25 m · 5 sec · McCormick Lane

  23. 23

    Continue on McCormick Lane

    86 m · 13 sec · McCormick Lane

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · McCormick Lane

Car Route Details

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

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
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pennsylvania Turnpike
212 mi · 76%
I 70 West
38.9 mi · 14%
Penn Avenue
12.7 mi · 5%
Park Avenue
7.4 mi · 3%
Sparta Road
2.37 mi · 1%
Prosperity Pike
2.07 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 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+47.5 mi
232.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valley-Hi
02h 48m from Reading
Leave By
5:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Reading and Sunny near Sparta.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km) and usually takes 05h 37m 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 139.9 miles from Reading and 140.4 miles from Sparta.

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

The direct path is about 232.8 miles (374.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.5 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 5:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.41 one way or $80.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Reading and Sunny near Sparta.

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 Sparta. Straight-line distance: 232.77 mi (374.61 km).

Reading

#1 Reading

The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population88,217
Coordinates40.3356500, -75.9268700
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Sparta

#2 Sparta

Township in Crawford County, Pennsylvania

Population1,708
Coordinates40.0286800, -80.3186800
Altitude318
CountryUnited States
Start: Reading (-75.92687, 40.33565)
End: Sparta (-80.31868, 40.02868)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 451 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.89 gal
37.44 L · about $40.41
Round trip
$80.82
19.78 gal · 74.88 L
Estimated CO2
87.9 kg one way
Round trip: 175.8 kg / 388 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $40.41 $80.82
Mid-grade $4.60 $45.48 $90.97
Premium $4.95 $49.00 $97.99
Diesel $5.98 $59.14 $118.28

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Reading and Sparta. The current time is 04:15:59.

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.