The drive from Denver, PA to Scranton, PA covers 114.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.6 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.4 miles from Denver, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 114.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 29m highway drive covering 114.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and Pottsville Pike. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 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 Pottsville Pike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 114.8 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 12.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.8 miles (US 222): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
12.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the ramp toward US 222 North: Allentown
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward US 222 North: Allentown
5
12.8 mi into trip|~24m in|US 222
Merge onto US 222
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
17.3 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
5
17.6 mi into trip|~30m in|PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Turn right onto PA 61 / Pottsville Pike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
Pottsville Pike
12.5 mi
15m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
US 222
4.5 mi
6m
Fritztown Road
4.1 mi
7m
South Ridge Road
3.4 mi
7m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto North 6th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North 6th Street
3
Continue on South Ridge Road
3.4 mi·7 min·South Ridge Road
4
Continue on Fritztown Road
4.1 mi·7 min·Fritztown Road
5
Continue on Columbia Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Columbia Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 422
0.2 mi·29 sec·Penn Avenue
7
Turn slight left onto Mull Avenue
0.4 mi·32 sec·Mull Avenue
8
Continue on Van Reed Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Van Reed Road
9
Continue on Spring Ridge Drive
0.1 mi·19 sec·Spring Ridge Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 222 North: Allentown
11
Merge onto US 222
4.5 mi·6 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward PA 61 North: PottsvilleUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto PA 61
2.9 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·19 sec·South 4th Street
19
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
22
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
23
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
24
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
25
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
27
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
29
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
30
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
32
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
33
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
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 57.4 miles from Denver, PA, or about 1h 19m 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 25 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denver, 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 Denver, PA
This is one driving day of about 114.8 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Denver, 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 57.4 mi from Denver, PA
· 1h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Denver, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scranton, PA
The final approach into Scranton, 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 Scranton, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.05
$5.51
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.05
$4.59
EV Truck/SUV
45.9
0
$16.07
$7.35
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Denver, PA
Afternoon
in Denver on Friday
Local time
12:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
12:11 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
18 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
2h 29m 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 Denver, PA to Scranton, PA covers 114.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Pottsville Pike, Centre Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.4 miles from Denver, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.03 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 114.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.8 miles (US 222): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Denver, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
