Much of what is now PA 183 was originally designated as part of Pennsylvania Route 83 (PA 83) in 1927, a route that ran from US 30/PA 1 in Devon northwest to US 120/PA 42 (now PA 61) near Schuylkill Haven. PA 83 was realigned to a more direct route in northern Berks County by 1960, bypassing a jog to the west through Rehrersburg. In 1961, PA 83 was renumbered to PA 183 to avoid duplication with Interstate 83 (I-83) and the southern terminus was cut back to its current location in Reading. The alignment of PA 83 between Devon and Reading became a part of other state routes, with some portions becoming unnumbered.