Trip from City of Scranton, PA to Columbus, PA

Drive Time

5h 57m

Distance

280.6 mi

452 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 45m ★

6 AM

5h 58m

8 AM

6h 24m

10 AM

6h 7m

12 PM

6h 4m

3 PM

6h 8m

5 PM

6h 22m

8 PM

5h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

Traveling from Scranton to Columbus, Pennsylvania, covers 280.6 miles of Northeast terrain. You should budget about 5 hours and 57 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable, albeit long, one-day road trip. Plan to set aside approximately $46 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route utilizes the Keystone Shortway, the American Legion Memorial Highway, and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, you will experience a variety of road types. Whether you choose to power through in a single day or break it up, the trip remains straightforward within the state. It is a practical journey for those looking to traverse the region efficiently without needing an overnight stay.

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

140.3 miles from City of Scranton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 9% of the route consists of highway travel, the majority of your time will be spent navigating more technical roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 148.3 miles spent on the Keystone Shortway, providing a rare moment of sustained momentum. The character of the drive shifts significantly once you transition off the major highways onto the local segments. Prepare for a dynamic experience that requires active steering rather than the repetitive monotony of a purely interstate-focused trip.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 32 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 148.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near River Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 280.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.2 miles (River Street): Navigation decision point; at 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 34.7 miles (I 80 / Keystone Shortway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | River Street

Turn left onto River Street

Navigation decision point

34 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 151B Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg

34.7 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 80 / Keystone Shortway

Merge onto I 80 / Keystone Shortway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

183 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in

Take the exit toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield

200 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in | US 219

At end of road, turn right onto US 219

Navigation decision point

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from City of Scranton, PA to Columbus, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

Penfield

183 mi in | ~3h 23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Keystone Shortway	148.3 mi	2h 40m
American Legion Memorial Highway	32.7 mi	39m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway	23 mi	32m
US 219	12.3 mi	18m
Montmorenci Road	8.8 mi	13m
PA 948	8.6 mi	12m
Warren Bypass	8.6 mi	12m
State Park Road	7.5 mi	13m

Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 148.3 mi, about 2h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Columbus, PA.

Start on Cedar Avenue

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Cedar Avenue

Continue on Cedar Avenue

400 ft · 12 sec · Cedar Avenue

Turn left onto River Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · River Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto I 81

33 mi · 39 min · American Legion Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 151B Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg

Merge onto I 80

148 mi · 2 hr 40 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Turn straight onto PA 153

7.5 mi · 13 min · State Park Road

Continue on PA 153

5.0 mi · 8 min · Hoovertown Road

Continue on PA 153

3.7 mi · 6 min · Penfield Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 219

12 mi · 18 min · US 219

Turn right onto PA 948

1.0 mi · 2 min · Montmorenci Avenue

Continue on PA 948

8.8 mi · 13 min · Montmorenci Road

Continue on PA 948

5.4 mi · 7 min · Highland Road

At end of road, turn left onto PA 66

2.7 mi · 3 min · Kane-Russell City Road

Take the exit onto PA 948

8.6 mi · 12 min · PA 948

Continue on PA 666

2.3 mi · 4 min · PA 666

At end of road, turn left onto US 6

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 6

4.5 mi · 6 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Continue on US 6

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 6

2.9 mi · 4 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Main Street

Continue on US 6

1.8 mi · 3 min · Crescent Park

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 6

8.6 mi · 12 min · Warren Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 6

1.4 mi · 2 min · Youngsville Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 6; PA 27

16 mi · 21 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

Continue on US 6

1.6 mi · 2 min · Route 6

Turn right onto Erie Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Erie Street

Turn right onto PA 957

13 ft · 0 sec · PA-957

Arrive at destination

PA 957

Trip Plan

Since this journey takes nearly six hours, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, though you have the flexibility to adjust this based on your personal pace. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $46 estimate can fluctuate depending on local pricing and your vehicle's efficiency. Because the route is turn-heavy, ensure your tire pressure is checked before you leave Scranton to maintain better handling on those winding local sections. Utilize the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway to make up time, but stay alert for the transition to the Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

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 140.3 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving City of Scranton, 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 City of Scranton, PA

This is one driving day of about 280.6 miles and 5h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from City of Scranton, 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 148.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.3 mi from City of Scranton, PA · 2h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jamestown, NY

140 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

Union, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Hornell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.3 miles from City of Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.3 miles.

Arriving in Columbus, PA

The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, PA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.43 one way

$92.86 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$50.81	$101.61
premium	$4.92	$54.37	$108.75
diesel	$5.64	$62.34	$124.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84.2	1	$29.46	$13.47
Efficient EV	70.2	0	$24.55	$11.22
EV Truck/SUV	112.2	1	$39.28	$17.96

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

City of Scranton, PA

Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

8:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, PA

Evening in Columbus on Sunday

Local time

8:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°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

5 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 57m 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 City of Scranton, PA to Columbus, PA covers 280.6 miles and takes about 5h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Keystone Shortway, American Legion Memorial Highway, Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 140.3 miles from City of Scranton, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.43 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.

On the drive from City of Scranton, PA to Columbus, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.

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Return Trip

Columbus, PA to City of Scranton, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

280.8 mi 5h 58m

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Trip from City of Scranton, PA to Columbus, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Columbus, PA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

City of Scranton, PA

Columbus, PA

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 57m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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