Trip from Ephrata, PA to Scranton, PA

Data updated 47 minutes ago

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

115.3 mi

186 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 20m ★

6 AM

2h 30m

8 AM

2h 51m

10 AM

2h 37m

12 PM

2h 35m

3 PM

2h 38m

5 PM

2h 50m

8 PM

2h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ephrata, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 115.3-mile drive from Ephrata, PA to Scranton, PA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Primarily using I-81 and PA-183, it's a highway-focused journey that is perfect for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this route offers an economical way to travel between these two points in the Northeast region. You'll find the drive is efficient, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without major detours. Given its manageable length and duration, it doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

57.7 miles from Ephrata, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The character of this drive is largely defined by its 63% highway share, with a significant portion of your journey unfolding on I-81. Expect stretches of consistent speed and straightforward navigation for much of the 115.3 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.6 miles on I-81, offering a period of smooth, consistent travel. While the route utilizes PA-183 and Stiegel Pike, these segments are integrated into a primarily highway-focused profile, meaning the overall feel remains one of efficient transit rather than winding country roads. It's a route designed for making good time.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 13 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 115.3 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 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 114.7 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

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

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

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.

115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | Biden Street

Turn left onto Biden Street

Navigation decision point

115.3 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | Wyoming Avenue

Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

Navigation decision point

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 Scranton, PA.

Start on US 322

5.0 mi · 9 min · West Main Street

Continue on US 322

2.6 mi · 4 min · East 28th Division Highway

Turn right onto PA 501

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Furnace Hills Pike

Continue on PA 501

1.5 mi · 1 min · Furnace Hill Pike

Continue on PA 501

6.0 mi · 6 min · Stiegel Pike

Continue on PA 501

5.5 mi · 6 min · South College Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Continue on PA 501

4.1 mi · 4 min · Lancaster Avenue

Continue on PA 501

1.2 mi · 1 min · Lancaster Avenue

Continue on PA 501

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Lancaster Avenue

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown

Merge onto I 78; US 22

3.5 mi · 4 min · William Penn Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 17 Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto PA 419

1.9 mi · 2 min · Four Point Road

Turn left onto PA 183

9.9 mi · 15 min · PA 183

Turn right onto PA 183

0.7 mi · 2 min · Pottsville Street

Turn left onto PA 61

2.9 mi · 3 min · Route 61 South

Continue on PA 61

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Pottsville Boulevard

Continue on PA 61

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Claude A. Lord Boulevard

Continue on PA 61

1.0 mi · 1 min · Pottsville Saint Clair Highway

Continue on PA 61

4.8 mi · 5 min · Joseph H. Long Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 81 North: Hazleton

Merge onto I 81

60 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 81

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward PA 307

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Cedar Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on Adams Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Adams Avenue

Turn left onto Biden Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Biden Street

Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

135 ft · 4 sec · Wyoming Avenue

Arrive at destination

Wyoming Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2.5-hour drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a clear opportunity to refuel is 59.6 miles on I-81. While only one planned stop is indicated, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $19 makes this an affordable trip, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a short, single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Ephrata, PA, or about 1h 20m 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 57.7 miles or 1h 20m 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 4m

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 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 115.3 miles and 2h 30m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

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 57.7 mi from Ephrata, PA · 1h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

58 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Ephrata, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.12 one way

$38.23 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$20.94	$41.87
premium	$4.93	$22.36	$44.72
diesel	$5.61	$25.46	$50.91

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: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.6	$12.11	$5.53
Efficient EV	28.8	$10.09	$4.61
EV Truck/SUV	46.1	$16.14	$7.38

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 data refreshed 20 hours ago

Origin

Ephrata, PA

Afternoon in Ephrata on Wednesday

Local time

1:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scranton, PA

Afternoon in Scranton on Wednesday

Local time

1:44 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 30m 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 Scranton, PA covers 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 30m 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 57.7 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 $19.12 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Ephrata, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Ephrata, PA to Scranton, PA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Scranton, PA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ephrata, PA

Scranton, PA

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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