Origin
Ephrata, PA
Afternoon in Ephrata on Wednesday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ephrata, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Data updated 49 minutes ago
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
114.9 mi
185 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ephrata, PA
Haneul Trac
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 114.9-mile drive from Ephrata, PA, to Scranton, PA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-81 and PA-183, the journey is largely highway-focused, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for a quick excursion within Pennsylvania. The route offers a straightforward path, suitable for those who prefer a direct journey without extensive detours. Given its relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
57.5 miles from Ephrata, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 63% of this 114.9-mile route. The majority of your time will be spent on I-81, which offers a consistent pace for roughly 59.6 miles during its longest stretch. While I-81 provides a smooth, high-speed experience, you'll also navigate sections of PA-183 and Stiegel Pike, introducing some variation in the road type. This mix means you'll experience both the efficiency of interstate travel and the character of state-level roads as you progress toward Scranton.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 PA 183. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
26.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
30.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
4
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
4
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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 |
| PA 183 | 9.9 mi | 15m |
| Stiegel Pike | 6 mi | 6m |
| Lancaster Avenue | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| South College Street | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 5 mi | 9m |
| Joseph H. Long Boulevard | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| William Penn Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on US 322
5.0 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on US 322
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East 28th Division Highway
3
Turn right onto PA 501
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Furnace Hills Pike
4
Continue on PA 501
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Furnace Hill Pike
5
Continue on PA 501
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Stiegel Pike
6
Continue on PA 501
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
South College Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
8
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
9
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Lancaster Avenue
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
11
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
William Penn Highway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Four Point Road
14
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
PA 183
15
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
16
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
17
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
18
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
19
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
20
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
22
Merge onto I 81
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 81
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
24
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2-hour and 29-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. Since the longest stretch is a substantial 59.6 miles on I-81, plan for one comfortable stop around the midway point for fuel or a quick break. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite reasonable, so you won't need to budget heavily for gas. A practical tip for this route: keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I-81 onto PA-183, as this is where the road character changes and requires your attention.
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 57.5 miles from Ephrata, 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 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 City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, PA
This is one driving day of about 114.9 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ephrata, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 57.5 mi from Ephrata, PA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 57.5 miles from Ephrata, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around City of Scranton, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.05 one way
$38.10 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $20.86 | $41.73 |
| premium | $4.93 | $22.28 | $44.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.37 | $50.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.06 | $5.52 |
| Efficient EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $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.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon in City of Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
1:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:10PM EDT until April 14 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:51PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
20 degrees warmer 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
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 Ephrata, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 114.9 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, PA 183, Stiegel Pike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.5 miles from Ephrata, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.05 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 114.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 26.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Ephrata, PA to City of Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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