How far is Swarthmore, PA from Reading, PA?
The driving distance from Swarthmore, PA to Reading, PA is about 64.2 miles (103.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m 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 11m.
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.
Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Swarthmore and Reading.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swarthmore and Reading.
-
1
Start on Park Avenue
601 ft · 27 sec · Park Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto North Chester Road
26 m · 3 sec · North Chester Road
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward North Chester Road
82 m · 12 sec · North Chester Road
-
4
Exit the roundabout onto North Chester Road
1.1 km · 2 min · North Chester Road
-
5
Turn left onto North Swarthmore Avenue
547 ft · 16 sec · North Swarthmore Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto Cedar Lane
652 ft · 21 sec · Cedar Lane
-
7
Turn left onto East Baltimore Pike
1.7 mi · 3 min · East Baltimore Pike
-
8
Continue on Baltimore Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · Baltimore Avenue
-
9
Continue on Baltimore Pike
1.4 mi · 3 min · Baltimore Pike
-
10
Take the exit right
96 m · 9 sec
-
11
Turn right onto North Middletown Road
5.8 mi · 9 min · North Middletown Road
-
12
Continue on South Chester Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Chester Road
-
13
Turn left onto West Chester Pike
3.2 mi · 6 min · West Chester Pike
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 322 West, US 202 North: King of Prussia, Downingtown
1172 ft · 44 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto West Chester Bypass
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Chester Bypass
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward PA 100 North: Exton
7.5 mi · 12 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward PATP
1875 ft · 46 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 76 West: Harrisburg
1685 ft · 41 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto Pennsylvania Turnpike
13.5 mi · 14 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 176, PA 10: Morgantown, Reading
1510 ft · 37 sec
-
21
Continue on Morgantown Expressway
11.3 mi · 13 min · Morgantown Expressway
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on US 422 West: Reading
1.1 km · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left onto West Shore Bypass
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Shore Bypass
-
24
Take the exit slight left toward US 222 Business: Lancaster Avenue
1360 ft · 36 sec
-
25
Turn right onto Bingaman Street
1457 ft · 25 sec · Bingaman Street
-
26
Continue on Laurel Street
701 ft · 19 sec · Laurel Street
-
27
Turn left onto South 5th Street
2195 ft · 47 sec · South 5th Street
-
28
Turn right onto Franklin Street
550 ft · 17 sec · Franklin Street
-
29
Turn left onto South 6th Street
599 ft · 25 sec · South 6th Street
-
30
Turn left onto Penn Street
85 m · 5 sec · Penn Street
-
31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Penn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Swarthmore and Reading.
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
13.5 mi · 00h 14m
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 Swarthmore and Mostly Sunny near Reading.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Swarthmore to Reading?
The road trip is about 64.2 miles (103.3 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
East Nantmeal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from Swarthmore and 37.2 miles from Reading.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.23 one way or $18.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Swarthmore and Mostly Sunny near Reading.
Stop Ideas Near East Nantmeal
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 East Nantmeal.
Downingtown
Exton
Coatesville
Paoli
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Swarthmore and Reading. Straight-line distance: 42.74 mi (68.78 km).
#1 Swarthmore
Borough of Pennsylvania
| Population | 6,372 |
| Coordinates | 39.9020600, -75.3499100 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Reading
The fourth most populous city in Pennsylvania.
| Population | 88,217 |
| Coordinates | 40.3356500, -75.9268700 |
| Altitude | 93 |
| Country | United States |
End: Penn Street (-75.926876, 40.335365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 103 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $9.23 | $18.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $10.39 | $20.79 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $11.20 | $22.39 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $13.51 | $27.03 |
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.