Origin
Harford, PA
Morning in Harford on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
39m
Distance
30.2 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harford, PA
Kai
This straightforward 30.2-mile drive from Harford, PA, to Scranton, PA, will take you about 39 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, this route focuses heavily on highway travel, with 97% of it on major roads like I-81 and the North Scranton Expressway. You can expect a fuel cost of around $5 for this journey. Given its short duration and highway-focused nature, it’s an efficient way to get between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations without needing an overnight stay. This is a practical option for travelers looking for speed and simplicity.
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
15.1 miles from Harford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route. With 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates and expressways, you'll encounter fast-paced travel for most of the 30.2 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 24.9 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace. This profile suggests minimal time spent on slower, local roads, making it a direct and efficient journey. The transition between highways is likely seamless, keeping you moving towards your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and North Scranton Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 30.2 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: near the start (PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 26.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.5 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp left onto PA 547; PA 2063 / State Route 547
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Take the exit toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 24.9 mi | 29m |
| North Scranton Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| State Route 547 | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 6 BUS | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Penn Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Linden Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Wyoming Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Harford, PA and Scranton, PA.
Start on Tingley Lake Road
Turn sharp left onto PA 547; PA 2063
Continue on PA 547
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Merge onto US 6 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS
Continue on US 11
Continue on US 11; PA 307
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
Turn left onto Linden Street
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Arrive at destination
For this quick 39-minute trip covering 30.2 miles, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits you best. Since it's a short, highway-centric drive with a minimal fuel cost of about $5, stopping for extensive breaks isn't necessary. However, remember that the longest stretch without a major change is 24.9 miles on I-81, so plan for a quick pit stop if needed before you begin. Keep an eye out for the transition onto the North Scranton Expressway as you approach your destination; being aware of this change can help you prepare for your arrival in Scranton.
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.
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 30.2 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.1 miles or 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Harford, 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 Harford, PA
This is one driving day of about 30.2 miles and 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.1 mi from Harford, PA · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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.
A short stop after about 30.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 15.1 miles from Harford, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.01 one way
$10.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $5.48 | $10.97 |
| premium | $4.93 | $5.86 | $11.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.67 | $13.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.17 | $1.45 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.64 | $1.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.93 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Harford on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Harford, PA or browse trips ending in Scranton, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for Harford, PA or Scranton, PA on MapSof.net.