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Trip from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Scranton, PA

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

117.9 mi

190 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

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

Downtown Bala-Cynwyd, PA, PA

Bala-Cynwyd, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

The drive from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Scranton, PA covers 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Schuylkill Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.55 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

58.9 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 117.9 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 94.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 23 / Conshohocken State Road.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 117.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 23 / Conshohocken State Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles (Belmont Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 23 / Conshohocken State Road

Turn sharp left onto PA 23 / Conshohocken State Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Belmont Avenue

Turn left onto Belmont Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 76 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 76 West
7
7.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
7
117.2 mi into trip | ~2h 17m 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
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 94.9 mi 1h 44m
I 81 8.2 mi 9m
Schuylkill Expressway 5.9 mi 8m
Mid-County Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
River Street 1 mi 1m
Belmont Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Conshohocken State Road 0.5 mi 1m
East Levering Mill Road 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 94.9 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bala-Cynwyd, PA and Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Bala Avenue

435 ft · 28 sec · Bala Avenue
2

Turn sharp left onto PA 23

0.5 mi · 1 min · Conshohocken State Road
3

Turn right onto East Levering Mill Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Levering Mill Road
4

Turn left onto Belmont Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Belmont Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 76 West Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 76

5.9 mi · 8 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 331B Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 476

3.3 mi · 4 min · Mid-County Expressway
9

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway
10

Continue on I 476; PATP

95 mi · 1 hr 44 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
13

Merge onto PA 315

523 ft · 8 sec · Chestnut Street
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
15

Merge onto I 81

8.2 mi · 9 min · I 81
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward PA 307
17

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
18

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Continue on Adams Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Adams Avenue
20

Turn left onto Biden Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Biden Street
21

Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

135 ft · 4 sec · Wyoming Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Wyoming Avenue

Trip Plan

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 58.9 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 52m

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 Bala-Cynwyd, 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 Bala-Cynwyd, PA

This is one driving day of about 117.9 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 94.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.9 mi from Bala-Cynwyd, PA · 1h 10m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

59 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.9 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.

Arriving in Scranton, PA

The final approach into 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 Scranton, PA.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour $1
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 8.1
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

21 mi from route ~52 min detour Free near mile 8.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.55 one way

$39.09 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $21.41 $42.82
premium $4.93 $22.87 $45.73
diesel $5.61 $26.03 $52.06

Estimated Tolls: $12.34

Pennsylvania Turnpike (94.9 mi) $12.34

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

$20

Tolls

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.4 0 $12.38 $5.66
Efficient EV 29.5 0 $10.32 $4.72
EV Truck/SUV 47.2 0 $16.51 $7.55

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 data refreshed 23 hours ago

Origin

Bala-Cynwyd, PA

Evening in Bala-Cynwyd on Tuesday

Local time

7:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scranton, PA

Evening in Scranton on Tuesday

Local time

7:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

17 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 18m 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 Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Scranton, PA covers 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Schuylkill Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.9 miles from Bala-Cynwyd, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.55 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 117.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 23 / Conshohocken State Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1 miles (Belmont Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bala-Cynwyd, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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