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Create accountDrive Time
5h 44m
Distance
281.8 mi
454 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
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
Pittsburgh, PA
LaMont L. Johnson
Connecting Scranton to Pittsburgh covers 281.8 miles and typically takes 5 hours and 44 minutes of travel time. Because this journey can be completed in a single day, it is an efficient trek across Pennsylvania if you get an early start. Budgeting approximately $45 for fuel will get you from the Northeast region to your destination in the western part of the state. You will primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and the William Penn Highway. While it is manageable as a one-day trip, be prepared for a drive that demands your full attention rather than a simple interstate cruise.
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
140.9 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience that breaks away from the monotony of standard highway travel. Only 17% of this journey involves major highway driving, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating more technical, winding roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more localized segments. The personality of this route shifts significantly as you transition between larger thoroughfares and secondary roads. Stay alert, as the winding nature of the path requires constant engagement compared to a straight interstate haul.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,845 ft
Total Descent
1,818 ft
Highest Point
1,852 ft
~223.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,331 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.2 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 281.8 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 133.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.7 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.5 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): 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.
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Second Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Between City of Scranton, PA and Pittsburgh, PA, road signs point toward Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
Altoona
Hollidaysburg
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 98.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| William Penn Highway | 61.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 99 | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 32.7 mi | 39m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| River Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Pittsburgh, PA.
Start on Cedar Avenue
Continue on Cedar Avenue
Turn left onto River Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Continue on US 22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Second Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Ross Street
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
Turn right onto Grant Street
Arrive at destination
Since the trip takes nearly six hours, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so consider departing early to avoid the fatigue that can set in during the final hours of this turn-heavy route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highway stretches where service stations may be less frequent. Given the 281.8-mile distance, pacing yourself is essential for a safe arrival. Use the 98.5-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to your advantage by planning your primary rest break immediately before or after this segment to maximize your efficiency.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.9 miles or 2h 40m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pittsburgh, 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 281.8 miles and 5h 44m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.9 mi from City of Scranton, PA · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 140.9 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 Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 miles.
The final approach into Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$46.63 one way
$93.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $51.02 | $102.05 |
| premium | $4.92 | $54.61 | $109.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.61 | $125.21 |
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: 98.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.5 | 1 | $29.59 | $13.53 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.66 | $11.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.45 | $18.04 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:39 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 Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
8:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly 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
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.
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Return Trip
Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
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