Origin
Ellwood City, PA
Evening in Ellwood City on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellwood City, PA to Scranton, PA
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
306.2 mi
493 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 32m
★
6 AM
5h 46m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 11m
8 PM
5h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellwood City, PA
Jack Pace
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ellwood City to Scranton covers 306.3 miles across Pennsylvania. Expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes behind the wheel for this journey. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best suited as a one-day trip for those comfortable with navigating winding roads. You should budget about $49 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both cities are located within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, the drive maintains a consistent geographical feel throughout. While you can certainly complete the trip in a single day, be prepared for a focused drive that demands your full attention.
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
153.1 miles from Ellwood City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route is defined by a turn-heavy, local character that keeps you engaged. You will navigate through Fountain Avenue, Portersville Road, and Perry Highway, meaning the highway share for this trip is 0%. Because the road relies entirely on local thoroughfares, there is no long-distance, high-speed cruising; in fact, the longest stretch on Fountain Avenue is 0 miles. Expect a technical driving experience that requires constant adjustments and careful navigation. The road's personality is winding and intimate, lacking the repetitive nature of major highway systems.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 239.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,727 ft
583 ft
Total Climb
1,994 ft
Total Descent
2,135 ft
Highest Point
1,727 ft
~102.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,144 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near I 79.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.9 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 271.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 305.6 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
10.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
271.3 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
305.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
|
Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
306 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m in
|
Biden Street
Turn left onto Biden Street
Navigation decision point
5
306.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m in
|
Wyoming Avenue
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 239.8 mi | 4h 18m |
| I 81 | 32.4 mi | 39m |
| I 79 | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| Portersville Road | 9.5 mi | 16m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Portersville Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Fountain Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 239.8 mi, about 4h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellwood City, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Keystone Way
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
Keystone Way
2
Turn left onto PA 65; PA 288; PA 351 Truck
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Fountain Avenue
3
Continue on PA 488
9.5 mi
·
16 min
·
Portersville Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 19; PA 488
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Perry Highway
5
Turn slight left onto PA 488
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Portersville Road
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
7
Merge onto I 79
20 mi
·
21 min
·
I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
9
Merge onto I 80
240 mi
·
4 hr 18 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
11
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
13
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
16
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
17
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Since you are relying on local roads for the entire 306.3-mile distance, plan your departure for early morning to avoid peak local traffic and ensure you reach Scranton comfortably before nightfall. You should factor in at least one significant stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turns can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day, as local roads may not offer the same frequency of large service plazas found on major turnpikes. Given the technical nature of the route, stay alert at intersections and follow signage closely. Budgeting for that $49 fuel cost in advance will keep your trip logistics stress-free.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.1 miles from Ellwood City, PA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.1 miles or 2h 53m 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 38m
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 Ellwood City, 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 Ellwood City, PA
This is one driving day of about 306.2 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ellwood City, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 239.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.1 mi from Ellwood City, PA · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.1 miles from Ellwood City, 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 239.8 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.67 one way
$101.34 round trip
$4.20/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $55.44 | $110.88 |
| premium | $4.92 | $59.34 | $118.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.03 | $136.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.15 | $14.70 |
| Efficient EV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.79 | $12.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.5 | 1 | $42.87 | $19.60 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Evening in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
7:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°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
1 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
5h 45m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ellwood City, PA to Scranton, PA covers 306.2 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 81, I 79. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.1 miles from Ellwood City, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 10.9 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 271.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 305.6 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ellwood City, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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