The part of the Warren Street Bypass northeast of US 222 along with Pricetown Road became State Route 2026 (SR 2026) when the Location Referencing System was established.

Southwest of this interchange, the Warren Street Bypass continues as part of southbound US 222 and westbound US 422.

PA 12 crosses Tulpehocken Creek into the city of Reading and heads through commercial areas.

[4][5][6] Following this interchange, the route becomes a freeway and heads near residential neighborhoods and turns north, running to the west of Norfolk Southern's Reading Line.

[3][4] From here, the freeway curves to the northeast and passes under the Reading Line, heading into commercial areas within Muhlenberg Township and coming to a partial cloverleaf interchange with PA 61 that has an eastbound exit and a westbound entrance along with an eastbound entrance from northbound PA 61.

[3][4] The exit to southbound PA 61 provides access to FirstEnergy Stadium, the home ballpark of Minor League Baseball's Reading Fightin Phils.

[7] The route passes under Norfolk Southern's Pottsville Branch and comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 222 Bus.

The route comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange with Spring Valley Road and continues into Alsace Township, where the freeway ends.

The road was used by farmers in the Pricetown area who traveled to Reading to buy and sell wares.

Pricetown was settled in 1754 and grew into a village with three taverns and a general store that served the trade to and from Reading.

In the 19th century, Pricetown Road was used to transport Montana horses from Temple to country auctions in the area.

[33][34] In 1998, US 222 was rerouted to a freeway alignment northwest of Reading following the completion of the Park Road Corridor in October of that year; the PA 12 designation was given to the Warren Street Bypass northeast of US 222/US 422 in Wyomissing as well as to SR 2026 up to the intersection with PA 662 in December of that year.

[2] There are plans to improve the section of PA 12 in Alsace Township, including the construction of a roundabout at the intersection with Elizabeth Avenue/Hillview Road.