How far is Reading, PA from Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The driving distance from Reading, PA to Wilkes-Barre, PA is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.9 miles (101.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 35m 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 47m.
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 northern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Reading and Wilkes-Barre.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Wilkes-Barre.
-
1
Start on Penn Street
85 m · 9 sec · Penn Street
-
2
Turn right onto North 5th Street
2689 ft · 56 sec · North 5th Street
-
3
Turn slight left onto Centre Avenue
3 mi · 5 min · Centre Avenue
-
4
Continue on Pottsville Pike
4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
-
5
Continue on South Centre Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · South Centre Avenue
-
6
Continue on Pottsville Pike
3.2 mi · 4 min · Pottsville Pike
-
7
Continue on Shoemaker Avenue
3219 ft · 44 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
-
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
-
11
Continue on Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi · 13 min · Centre Turnpike
-
12
Continue on Route 61 South
3 mi · 4 min · Route 61 South
-
13
Continue on Pottsville Boulevard
1434 ft · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
-
14
Continue on South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
-
15
Continue on Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
-
16
Continue on Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi · 6 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 81 North: Hazleton
1662 ft · 40 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
40.7 mi · 48 min
-
19
Take the exit slight left toward PA 309 south, PA 309 Business: Mountain Top, Wilkes-Barre
3253 ft · 1 min
-
20
Continue straight
629 ft · 12 sec
-
21
Turn straight onto Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
1277 ft · 35 sec · Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard
-
22
Turn left onto Blackman Street
1 km · 1 min · Blackman Street
-
23
Turn right onto Hazle Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Hazle Street
-
24
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · South Main Street
-
25
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
150 m · 14 sec · Public Square
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Wilkes-Barre.
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
40.7 mi · 00h 48m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Reading and Partly Sunny near Wilkes-Barre.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Reading to Wilkes-Barre?
The road trip is about 85.4 miles (137.4 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?
Gilberton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.7 miles from Reading and 42.7 miles from Wilkes-Barre.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.9 miles (101.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:54 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.30 one way or $24.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Reading and Partly Sunny near Wilkes-Barre.
Stop Ideas Near Gilberton
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 Gilberton.
White Haven, PA
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Elizabethtown station
Middletown
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Wilkes-Barre. Straight-line distance: 62.94 mi (101.29 km).
#1 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Wilkes-Barre
County seat of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States
| Population | 2,908 |
| Coordinates | 41.2459100, -75.8813100 |
| Altitude | 163 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wilkes-Barre (-75.88131, 41.24591)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 137 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $12.30 | $24.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $13.84 | $27.69 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $14.91 | $29.82 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.