Origin
Back Mountain, PA
Morning in Back Mountain on Wednesday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Back Mountain, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
41m
Distance
27.9 mi
45 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Back Mountain, PA
Wikimedia Commons
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This short 27.9-mile drive from Back Mountain, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is easily manageable in just 41 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with about 70% of the journey on major roads like I-81 and Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of only $5, this is a budget-friendly excursion. You'll be staying within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania for the entire trip. Given the short distance and duration, no overnight stops are necessary, offering plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
13.9 miles from Back Mountain, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this trip, with 70% of the mileage dedicated to major roadways including I-81 and PA 309. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 13.3 miles along I-81. This means much of the journey will involve consistent speeds and efficient travel. While not a scenic tour, the highway profile ensures a straightforward and direct path to 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 12 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 13.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near PA 415 / Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 41m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (PA 415 / Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (PA 415 / Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 415 / Memorial Highway
Turn right onto PA 415 / Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
4
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
PA 415 / Memorial Highway
Enter roundabout onto PA 415 / Memorial Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
12.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
26.6 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
27.7 mi into trip
|
~41m 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 | 13.3 mi | 15m |
| Memorial Highway | 6.3 mi | 13m |
| PA 309 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| PA 118 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| PA 115 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 13.3 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Back Mountain, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 118
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
PA 118
2
Turn right onto PA 415
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Memorial Highway
3
Enter roundabout onto PA 415
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
Memorial Highway
4
Continue on PA 415
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Memorial Highway
5
Continue on PA 309
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
PA 309
6
Continue on PA 115
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
PA 115
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto I 81
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 81
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
10
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
11
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this quick 41-minute trip covering just 27.9 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with timing. Leaving mid-morning or early afternoon can help you avoid potential rush hour traffic on I-81. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is a low $5, you can easily make this drive in one go. Keep an eye out for the transition from Memorial Highway to I-81 as this is a key point in your route. Plan to keep your gas tank at least half full before departing to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted journey.
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 13.9 miles from Back Mountain, PA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.3 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 27.9 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.9 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
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 Back Mountain, 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 Back Mountain, PA
This is one driving day of about 27.9 miles and 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Back Mountain, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 13.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.9 mi from Back Mountain, PA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.9 miles from Back Mountain, 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
$4.63 one way
$9.25 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.41 | $10.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.16 | $12.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.93 | $1.34 |
| Efficient EV | 7 | 0 | $2.44 | $1.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.91 | $1.79 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning in City of Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
6:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
14 mi in
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
6 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
41m 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 Back Mountain, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 27.9 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Memorial Highway, PA 309. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.9 miles from Back Mountain, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.63 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 is a straightforward 41m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (PA 415 / Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (PA 415 / Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Back Mountain, PA to City of Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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