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Trip from Adamstown, PA to City of Scranton, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 20m

Distance

111.9 mi

180 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 11m ★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

borough in northeastern Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Adamstown, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 111.9-mile drive from Adamstown, PA, to the City of Scranton, PA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-81, Pottsville Pike, and Centre Turnpike, with a significant 75% highway share. Expect a fuel cost around $19 for this journey through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. Given its manageable length and straightforward path, this drive is perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient travel day without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

56 miles from Adamstown, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 75% of the journey on faster roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 59.6 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace. While predominantly highway, the route incorporates sections of Pottsville Pike and Centre Turnpike, which may offer slight variations in scenery and speed. The overall feel is efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground steadily and with minimal delays.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Pottsville Pike. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 222.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 222): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 222

Merge onto US 222

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.1 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue
4
50.8 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
4
110.6 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Take the exit toward PA 307

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward PA 307
7
111.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | Cedar Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 59.6 mi 1h 10m
Pottsville Pike 14.4 mi 18m
Centre Turnpike 10.6 mi 12m
US 222 10.4 mi 14m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard 4.8 mi 5m
Route 61 South 3 mi 3m
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard 1.5 mi 2m
North Reading Road 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Adamstown, PA and City of Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Willow Street

93 ft · 6 sec · Willow Street
2

Turn right onto PA 272

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Reading Road
3

Continue on PA 568

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Alleghenyville Road
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
5

Merge onto US 222

10 mi · 14 min · US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 49 sec
Toward PA 61 North: Centre Avenue Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn straight onto PA 61

1.1 mi · 1 min · Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on PA 61

4.7 mi · 6 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on PA 61

3.2 mi · 3 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on PA 61

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on PA 61

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 19 sec · South 4th Street
14

Continue on PA 61

4.2 mi · 5 min · Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
15

Continue on PA 61

11 mi · 12 min · Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on PA 61

3.0 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South
17

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard
18

Continue on PA 61

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
19

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
20

Continue on PA 61

4.8 mi · 5 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
22

Merge onto I 81

60 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 81
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward PA 307
24

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
25

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Arrive at destination

Cedar Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 20-minute drive, starting early in the morning is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially on the highway sections. With no designated stops provided, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, perhaps for a quick break or to refuel. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 60 miles on I-81, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19, and ensure you're topped up before embarking on the longest highway segment.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56 miles from Adamstown, PA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 25 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 56 miles or 1h 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Adamstown, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Adamstown, PA

This is one driving day of about 111.9 miles and 2h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Adamstown, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 59.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56 mi from Adamstown, PA · 1h 12m into the drive

Downtown Cressona, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cressona, PA

56 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA

73 mi · 1h 30m

Pacing Suggestions

Kutztown, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Shenandoah, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56 miles from Adamstown, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in City of Scranton, PA

The final approach into City of Scranton, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around City of Scranton, PA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.55 one way

$37.10 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $20.32 $40.64
premium $4.93 $21.70 $43.40
diesel $5.61 $24.71 $49.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.74

Centre Turnpike (10.6 mi) $0.74

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 33.6 0 $11.75 $5.37
Efficient EV 28 0 $9.79 $4.48
EV Truck/SUV 44.8 0 $15.67 $7.16

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Adamstown, PA

Evening in Adamstown on Wednesday

Local time

8:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Scranton, PA

Evening in City of Scranton on Wednesday

Local time

8:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 12 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:55PM EDT until April 14 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:51PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

21 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 20m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Adamstown, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 111.9 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56 miles from Adamstown, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 222): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Adamstown, PA to City of Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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