This 118.3-mile drive from Akron to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 33 minutes. Designed for a single day, the route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. You can anticipate a fuel cost of approximately $20 for this trip. With just one recommended stop, this drive prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, offering a practical option for a quick getaway or transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Akron, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 61% of the route utilizing major highways like I-81 and PA 183. You'll experience a significant stretch of 59.6 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is generally highway-focused, expect some variation as you transition between the interstate and local roads like Stiegel Pike. This mix means you'll encounter both faster-paced sections and potentially more varied driving as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 PA 183. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near PA 772 / Main Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 2.6 miles (PA 772 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in|PA 772 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto PA 772 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
29.7 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
33.4 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
7
117.6 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
118 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|Biden Street
Turn left onto Biden Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
59.6 mi
1h 10m
PA 183
9.9 mi
15m
Stiegel Pike
6 mi
6m
Lancaster Avenue
5.5 mi
6m
South College Street
5.5 mi
6m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
Furnace Hill Pike
4.2 mi
4m
William Penn Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on South 9th Street
71 ft·5 sec·South 9th Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.8 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Continue on Rothsville Road
510 ft·20 sec·Rothsville Road
4
Continue on Rothsville Road
1.7 mi·3 min·Rothsville Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto PA 772
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on Newport Road
3.4 mi·5 min·Newport Road
7
Turn right onto PA 501
1.7 mi·1 min·Furnace Hills Pike
8
Continue on PA 501
4.2 mi·4 min·Furnace Hill Pike
9
Continue on PA 501
6.0 mi·6 min·Stiegel Pike
10
Continue on PA 501
5.5 mi·6 min·South College Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi·4 min·Lancaster Avenue
12
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
13
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi·31 sec·Lancaster Avenue
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
15
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·William Penn Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 17Toward PA 419: RehrersburgUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi·2 min·Four Point Road
18
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi·15 min·PA 183
19
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
20
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
21
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
22
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
23
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
24
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
26
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
28
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
29
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
31
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
32
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour 33-minute duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Akron in the morning to make the most of your day in Scranton. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short overall distance, you can choose when and where to take a break based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-81, and plan your refueling accordingly to ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.1 miles from Akron, PA, or about 1h 21m 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Akron, 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 Akron, PA
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Akron, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 59.1 mi from Akron, PA
· 1h 21m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 24.5
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Akron, PA
Late night
in Akron on Friday
Local time
2:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
2:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Akron, PA to Scranton, PA covers 118.3 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, PA 183, Stiegel Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.1 miles from Akron, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.61 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 2.6 miles (PA 772 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Akron, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
