Cheswick, PA to Scranton, PA is 283 miles and takes about 5h 34m via Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving you from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a mixed drive, meaning you'll experience a variety of road types, not just a single interstate. Plan for a single-day journey, as the duration is manageable for most drivers. This route offers a straightforward path across the state.
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
141.5 miles from Cheswick, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
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Scranton is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is near Wilkes-Barre, and is the seventh most populous city in the state. Today, it is perhaps best known as the setting of the hit TV show "The Office" and the birthplace of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 283 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with only 35% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Keystone Shortway, a stretch that allows for an uninterrupted 180.6 miles of travel. Expect the road to transition between more open highway sections and potentially slower, more local roads as you progress. This variety means you won't be stuck in a constant interstate drone, but you'll also need to be ready for changes in speed limits and traffic.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 180.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pittsburgh Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 283 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Pittsburgh Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Pittsburgh Street
Turn right onto Pittsburgh Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge onto PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
24.7 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, In...
5
248.1 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
282.4 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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 Cheswick, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Indiana
24.7 mi in|~31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
180.6 mi
3h 15m
PA 28
36.7 mi
54m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Allegheny Valley Expressway
23.1 mi
27m
US 422
5.1 mi
6m
Pillow Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 180.6 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cheswick, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on North Highland Avenue
72 ft·8 sec·North Highland Avenue
2
Turn right onto Pittsburgh Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·Pittsburgh Street
3
Turn right onto Pillow Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·Pillow Avenue
4
Turn left onto Hite Road
0.1 mi·13 sec·Hite Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
6
Merge onto PA 28
23 mi·27 min·Allegheny Valley Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·52 sec
Toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, Indiana
8
Merge onto US 422; PA 28
5.1 mi·6 min·US 422; PA 28
9
Continue on PA 28; PA 66
37 mi·54 min·PA 28; PA 66
10
Take the ramp onto PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi·46 sec·PA 28 Truck
11
Merge onto I 80; PA 28 Truck
181 mi·3 hr 15 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
13
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
15
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
18
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
19
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 34m duration, this route is best tackled in a single day, so aim for an early morning departure from Cheswick to maximize daylight. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is 180.6 miles, so consider a fuel stop before you begin this segment to ensure you have plenty of gas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting longer stretches where services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.5 miles from Cheswick, PA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.6 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 62 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 32m
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 Cheswick, 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 Cheswick, PA
This is one driving day of about 283 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Cheswick, 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 180.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141.5 mi from Cheswick, PA
· 2h 54m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.92 one way
$93.84 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$51.39
$102.77
premium
$4.93
$54.88
$109.77
diesel
$5.61
$62.48
$124.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.9
1
$29.71
$13.58
Efficient EV
70.8
0
$24.76
$11.32
EV Truck/SUV
113.2
1
$39.62
$18.11
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Cheswick, PA
Late night
in Cheswick on Saturday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
4:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Clearfield, PA
142 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
26 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
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cheswick, PA to Scranton, PA covers 283 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, PA 28, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.5 miles from Cheswick, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 283 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (Pittsburgh Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (PA 28 / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cheswick, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
