Catasauqua to Scranton is 73.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 34 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two locations in the Northeast region. It's a fairly direct route, primarily utilizing major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a quick connection between these two points without much fuss, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Catasauqua, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 73.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 63% of the journey on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 38.5 miles on the Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the route is highway, there are segments on local roads like Macarthur Road, which might offer a slight change of scenery before rejoining faster thoroughfares. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 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 38.5 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 Bridge Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.1 miles (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.8 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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|Bridge Street
Turn right onto Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.8 mi into trip|~31m in|US 209 / Interchange Road
Turn right onto US 209 / Interchange Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
23.4 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
5
23.7 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
7
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can depart anytime, but leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight for the drive. With only 73.9 miles, you won't need extensive stops for fuel or rest, and your estimated fuel cost is around $12. A key piece of advice for this route is to be aware of potential tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as this is not factored into the fuel cost. Ensure you have your payment method ready for the toll plazas.
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 37 miles from Catasauqua, PA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.5 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37 miles or 50m 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 19m
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 Catasauqua, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Catasauqua, PA
This is one driving day of about 73.9 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Catasauqua, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 38.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37 mi from Catasauqua, PA
· 50m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.25 one way
$24.50 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.42
$26.84
premium
$4.93
$14.33
$28.66
diesel
$5.61
$16.32
$32.63
Estimated Tolls: $5.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(38.5 mi)$5.01
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.76
$3.55
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.47
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Catasauqua, PA
Afternoon
in Catasauqua on Friday
Local time
1:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
1:07 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
17 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
1h 34m 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 Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA covers 73.9 miles and takes about 1h 34m 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, Macarthur Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37 miles from Catasauqua, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.25 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.1 miles (Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.8 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
