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Create accountDrive Time
2h 26m
Distance
124 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
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
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
Traveling from Scranton to Philadelphia covers 124.6 miles and takes approximately two hours of driving time. Since this route is designed as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, you can easily complete the journey in a single day. You should budget about $20 for fuel to make the trip between these two Northeast Pennsylvania hubs. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, there is no need to plan for overnight stays unless you have a specific reason to linger. This trip offers a practical way to navigate the region while staying off the major interstates.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate Cedar Avenue, River Street, and the American Legion Memorial Highway. With a 0% highway share, this route avoids the monotony of typical interstate travel, favoring local roads that require your full attention. You will find that there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch, as the 0 miles on Cedar Avenue suggests a constantly changing environment. The road profile is distinctly turn-heavy, making it a more engaging and technical drive than your average commute. Prepare for a steady pace that keeps you alert throughout the two-hour duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 124 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between City of Scranton, PA and Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Valley Forge.
Patp
Allentown
Valley Forge
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 95 mi | 1h 44m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.6 mi | 17m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| River Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Philadelphia, 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 PA 315
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Turn slight left onto PA 611
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
Arrive at destination
Given the local nature of these roads, you should plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when neighborhood streets are at their busiest. Since there are no designated stops scheduled for this 124.6-mile trip, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $20 gas budget is best utilized by staying on your planned path. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your pace or take breaks as needed without the pressure of a strict highway itinerary. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Cedar Avenue and the American Legion Memorial Highway, as the frequent turns require steady focus. Prioritize a daytime departure to ensure you have the best visibility for navigating these local stretches.
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.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, 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 124 miles and 2h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62 mi from City of Scranton, PA · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 62 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95 miles.
The final approach into Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.52 one way
$41.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $22.45 | $44.90 |
| premium | $4.92 | $24.03 | $48.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.35
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
$21
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.02 | $5.95 |
| Efficient EV | 31 | 0 | $10.85 | $4.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.36 | $7.94 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 4:55AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Evening in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 4:55AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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Return Trip
Philadelphia, PA to City of Scranton, PAPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from City of Scranton, PA or browse trips ending in Philadelphia, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for City of Scranton, PA or Philadelphia, PA on MapSof.net.