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Trip from Delaware, PA to City of Scranton, PA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 22m

Distance

57.1 mi

92 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min
4 AM
1h 16m ★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m

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

Downtown Delaware, PA, PA

Delaware, PA

Christopher Santiago

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick getaway from Delaware, PA, to Scranton, PA, expect a straightforward journey covering 57.1 miles. You should plan on approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes of drive time, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Budget about $9 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. Because the duration is quite short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex hotel arrangements. This route serves as an efficient connection, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the stress of a long-haul excursion.

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

28.5 miles from Delaware, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate a combination of PA-739, I-81 South, and the American Legion Memorial Highway to reach your destination. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this journey focuses on local roads that demand your full attention. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that favors maneuvering through regional paths rather than cruising at high speeds on major freeways. The transition between these specific roads creates a varied pace that feels more like a localized commute than a long-distance trek.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 84 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 84 and PA-739. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near PA 739 / PA-739.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.1 miles you will encounter 8 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 4.9 miles (PA 739 / PA-739): Navigation decision point; at 52.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

3
4.9 mi into trip | ~8m in | PA 739 / PA-739

Turn left onto PA 739 / PA-739

Navigation decision point

4
52.9 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
7
55.7 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in

Take the exit toward President Biden Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 185 Toward President Biden Expressway
4
56.6 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in

Take the exit toward Cedar Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Cedar Avenue
6
57 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | Cedar Avenue

Turn right onto Cedar Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 84 33.4 mi 39m
PA-739 14.2 mi 26m
US 209 4.9 mi 8m
American Legion Memorial Highway 1.5 mi 1m
President Biden Expressway 0.7 mi 1m
Cedar Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 84 — 33.4 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 209

4.9 mi · 8 min · US 209
2

Turn left onto PA 739

14 mi · 26 min · PA-739
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec
4

Merge onto I 84

33 mi · 39 min · I 84
5

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 81 South: Wilkes-Barre
6

Merge onto I 81

1.5 mi · 1 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 39 sec
Exit 185 Toward President Biden Expressway Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on President Biden Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · President Biden Expressway
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward Cedar Avenue
10

Turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Arrive at destination

Cedar Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 57.1-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever fits your schedule best. You won't need to worry about planning for long-distance fatigue or extensive rest stops given the 1-hour and 6-minute duration. However, keep in mind that the local nature of the route means you should stay alert for turns and changing road conditions throughout the drive. Because the fuel cost is estimated at just $9, it is an economical choice for a spontaneous departure. Make sure your vehicle is ready for a technical, turn-heavy path before heading out to ensure a smooth transition onto the American Legion Memorial Highway.

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 28.5 miles from Delaware, PA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 13 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 28.5 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 10m

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 Delaware, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Delaware, PA

This is one driving day of about 57.1 miles and 1h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Delaware, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 84 for about 33.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 28.5 mi from Delaware, PA · 46m into the drive

Downtown Hemlock Farms, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hemlock Farms, PA

29 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

Sunrise Lake, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Paupack, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 28.5 miles from Delaware, 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

$9.47 one way

$18.93 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 20 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $10.37 $20.74
premium $4.93 $11.07 $22.15
diesel $5.61 $12.61 $25.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 20 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 17.1 0 $6.00 $2.74
Efficient EV 14.3 0 $5.00 $2.28
EV Truck/SUV 22.8 0 $7.99 $3.65

Gas CO2

20 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Delaware, PA

Evening in Delaware on Wednesday

Local time

8:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Scranton, PA

Evening in City of Scranton on Wednesday

Local time

8:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 2 mph 2% chance Live forecast

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 22m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Delaware, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 57.1 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 84, PA-739, US 209. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.5 miles from Delaware, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.47 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.1 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles (PA 739 / PA-739): Navigation decision point; at 52.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Delaware, PA to City of Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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