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Trip from Cambridge Springs, PA to Scranton, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 4m

Distance

324.2 mi

522 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 51m ★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m

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

borough with home rule status in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States

Cambridge Springs, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 324.2-mile journey from Cambridge Springs, PA, to Scranton, PA, will take approximately 6 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. This trip is a manageable day trip, though you could easily split it over two days if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You'll primarily navigate via I-79 and I-81, with a significant portion on the Keystone Shortway. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, it's an economical option for exploring within Pennsylvania. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, offering a taste of the Northeast's varied landscapes.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

162.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route offers a dynamic driving experience, with only 23% of the drive on highways. You'll spend a good amount of time on local roads, characterized by frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 240.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway, so be prepared for a mix of driving styles. Expect the road to change character as you progress, moving from potentially more rural segments to busier sections closer to urban areas.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Venango Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,969 ft 581 ft

Total Climb

1,413 ft

Total Descent

1,823 ft

Highest Point

1,969 ft

~138.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,388 ft

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.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cambridge Springs, PA to Scranton, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Venango Avenue
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
River Street
Cussewago Street
Church Street
Grand Army of the Republic Army
Route 6
PA-198

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Venango Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge Springs, PA and Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Church Street

276 ft · 12 sec · Church Street
2

At the end of the road, turn left onto Venango Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Venango Avenue
3

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

2.5 mi · 3 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4

Continue on River Street

0.3 mi · 40 sec · River Street
5

Continue on Cussewago Street

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Cussewago Street
6

Turn left onto Church Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Church Street
7

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

1.9 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Army

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Army
9

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
10

Continue on Route 6/Route 19

1.3 mi · 2 min · Route 6/Route 19
11

Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward PA-198

30 ft · PA-198
12

Exit the roundabout onto PA-198

3.1 mi · 5 min · PA-198
13

Take the ramp left

0.3 mi · 41 sec
14

Merge slight left

37 mi · 39 min
15

Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Clarion

0.4 mi · 59 sec · I 80 East: Clarion
16

Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway

240 mi · 4 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
17

Take the exit slight left toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
18

Merge slight left

32 mi · 39 min
19

Take the exit slight right toward PA 307

0.2 mi · 22 sec · PA 307
20

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
21

At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Cedar Avenue
22

Continue on Adams Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Adams Avenue
23

Turn left onto Biden Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Biden Street
24

Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

135 ft · 5 sec · Wyoming Avenue
25

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, consider departing early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to make stops. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without major highway transitions can be significant. The $54 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the Keystone Shortway's specific road conditions before you depart, as it can vary.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.

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 71 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.1 miles or 3h 2m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 58m

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 Cambridge Springs, 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 Cambridge Springs, PA

This is one driving day of about 324.2 miles and 6h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Cambridge Springs, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 162.1 mi from Cambridge Springs, PA · 3h 2m into the drive

city in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bethlehem, PA

162 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

Farrell, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bethlehem, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$53.75 one way

$107.50 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $58.87 $117.73
premium $4.93 $62.87 $125.75
diesel $5.61 $71.58 $143.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.3 1 $34.04 $15.56
Efficient EV 81.1 0 $28.37 $12.97
EV Truck/SUV 129.7 1 $45.39 $20.75

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Cambridge Springs, PA

Night in Cambridge Springs on Wednesday

Local time

10:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scranton, PA

Night in Scranton on Wednesday

Local time

10:58 PM

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

20 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

6h 4m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cambridge Springs, PA to Scranton, PA covers 324.2 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Venango Avenue, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, River Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 162.1 miles from Cambridge Springs, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cambridge Springs, PA to Scranton, PA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cambridge Springs, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 581 ft to 1,969 ft elevation with about 1,413 ft of total climbing.

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