Origin
City of Scranton, PA
Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 24m
Distance
165.6 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
New Freedom, PA
Miguel Rivera
If you are planning a trip from Scranton to New Freedom, prepare for a 165.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes. This drive stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region toward the southern border. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, the trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the American Legion Memorial Highway, I-83, and Constitution Avenue. Because it is a turn-heavy local drive, you should expect to stay attentive behind the wheel throughout the duration of your travel.
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
82.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
This route features a distinct personality, blending high-speed travel with more technical local segments. With only 28% of your journey spent on major highways, you should be prepared for a drive that requires more focus than a typical interstate slog. You will tackle a significant 113.7-mile stretch on the American Legion Memorial Highway, which serves as the core of your trip. As you transition between these different road types, the character of the drive shifts from open stretches to more winding local paths. Expect a hands-on driving experience that rewards steady navigation over long-distance cruising.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.6 miles (I 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisburg, York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 851: Shrewsbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Between City of Scranton, PA and New Freedom, PA, road signs point toward York and Baltimore.
York
Baltimore
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 113.7 mi | 2h 13m |
| I 83 | 46.1 mi | 58m |
| Constitution Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| River Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Forrest Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and New Freedom, PA.
Start on Cedar Avenue
Continue on Cedar Avenue
Turn left onto River Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Continue on I 83; US 322
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto PA 851
Turn left onto PA 851 Truck
Turn right onto PA 851 Truck
Turn right onto PA 851 Truck
Turn left onto Factory Alley
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3-hour and 24-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, departing early in the morning can help you avoid fatigue and navigate the trickier segments while visibility is at its best. Keep your $27 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops, ensuring you have enough flexibility to refuel at a convenient pace. Since you are only covering 165.6 miles, you have the advantage of a relatively short schedule, so don't feel pressured to rush. Focus on maintaining a consistent speed during your long 113.7-mile stint on the American Legion Memorial Highway to keep your travel time on track.
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 38m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Freedom, PA than in the middle of the route.
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 165.6 miles and 3h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.8 mi from City of Scranton, PA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before American Legion Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.7 miles.
The final approach into New Freedom, 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 New Freedom, 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.
Regular Gas
$27.40 one way
$54.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $29.98 | $59.97 |
| premium | $4.92 | $32.09 | $64.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.79 | $73.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in New Freedom on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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