Origin
Bellefonte, PA
Night in Bellefonte on Wednesday
Local time
10:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellefonte, PA to Scranton, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
138.8 mi
223 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellefonte, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 138.8-mile drive from Bellefonte, PA to Scranton, PA will take approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a smaller portion on I-99. With a projected fuel cost of around $23, this journey offers an economical way to travel between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, ensuring a comfortable pace for this relatively short journey. The overall feel is that of a practical, straightforward drive through familiar territory.
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
69.4 miles from Bellefonte, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that's a mix of highway and more winding local roads, with about 25% of the journey on higher-speed highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a chance to settle in. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be navigating more varied road conditions and curves, especially as you get closer to your destination. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; be prepared for a more engaging driving experience with frequent changes in direction and speed.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 99.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 144 / North Allegheny Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 144 / North Allegheny Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (PA 550 / East Bishop Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 144 / North Allegheny Street
Turn left onto PA 144 / North Allegheny Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 550 / East Bishop Street
Turn left onto PA 550 / East Bishop Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
7
138.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 99.3 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 81 | 32.4 mi | 39m |
| I 99 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| East Bishop Street | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Zion Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Allegheny Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellefonte, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on East Howard Street
13 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Howard Street
2
Turn left onto PA 144
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Allegheny Street
3
Turn left onto PA 550
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Bishop Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 550
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Zion Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 99; US 220; PA 26
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 99; US 220; PA 26
7
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Keystone Shortway
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
10
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
12
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
15
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
16
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 42-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single day. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid any potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach Scranton. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically to cover a good portion of the 138.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $23 for the trip, and consider filling up before you leave Bellefonte to ensure you have plenty for the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your schedule as needed.
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 69.4 miles from Bellefonte, PA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 31 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
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 Bellefonte, 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 Bellefonte, PA
This is one driving day of about 138.8 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Bellefonte, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Bellefonte, PA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Bellefonte, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.01 one way
$46.02 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.20 | $50.41 |
| premium | $4.93 | $26.92 | $53.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.43 | $8.88 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Night in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
10:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
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
37 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 42m 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 Bellefonte, PA to Scranton, PA covers 138.8 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 81, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.4 miles from Bellefonte, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.01 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 is a straightforward 2h 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 144 / North Allegheny Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (PA 550 / East Bishop Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bellefonte, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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