Origin
Cressona, PA
Evening in Cressona on Wednesday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
73 mi
117 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cressona, PA
Haneul Trac
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 73-mile drive from Cressona, PA to Scranton, PA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-81, this highway-focused route is ideal for a single-day excursion, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $12. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, no overnight stops are necessary. The journey keeps you within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a consistent driving experience without significant transitions between different geographical areas. It's a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
36.5 miles from Cressona, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect an 86% highway experience on this route, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a solid 59.6 miles on I-81, providing a good period of consistent cruising. While primarily interstate, the initial and final segments involve local roads like Route 61 South and Joseph H. Long Boulevard, offering a brief change of pace before merging onto the faster highway. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Joseph H. Long Boulevard. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near PA 183 / Chestnut Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA is easy. At 1h 30m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (PA 183 / Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (PA 183 / Pottsville Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
PA 183 / Chestnut Street
At end of road, turn right onto PA 183 / Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Turn right onto PA 183 / Pottsville Street
Navigation decision point
4
11.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
4
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
72.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 59.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| Joseph H. Long Boulevard | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Route 61 South | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| South Claude A. Lord Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Pottsville Saint Clair Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pottsville Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| South Sillyman Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cressona, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Zerbe Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
Zerbe Street
2
Continue on Front Street
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Front Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto PA 183
224 ft
·
5 sec
·
Chestnut Street
4
Continue on PA 183
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Sillyman Street
5
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
6
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
7
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
8
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
9
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
10
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
12
Merge onto I 81
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 81
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
14
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 30-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Cressona, PA, in the morning is a good way to beat any potential mid-day traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. With no mandatory stops recommended for this 73-mile trip, you can easily make spontaneous breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest 59.6-mile stretch on I-81, to ensure a smooth journey without unexpected fuel stops. The low fuel cost of around $12 makes this a budget-friendly trip.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.5 miles from Cressona, PA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 46m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cressona, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cressona, PA
This is one driving day of about 73 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Cressona, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.5 mi from Cressona, PA · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.5 miles from Cressona, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in City of Scranton, PA
The final approach into City of Scranton, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.10 one way
$24.20 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.25 | $26.51 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.16 | $28.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.12 | $32.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.39 | $2.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Evening in City of Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
2 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
1h 30m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 73 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Joseph H. Long Boulevard, Route 61 South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.5 miles from Cressona, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.10 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA is easy. At 1h 30m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (PA 183 / Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (PA 183 / Pottsville Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Cressona, PA to City of Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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