Jersey Shore, PA to Scranton, PA is 116.8 miles and takes about 2h 24m via Keystone Shortway, I 81, and Susquehanna Beltway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for a single-day excursion. You'll find the journey generally convenient, making it a good option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.4 miles from Jersey Shore, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 116.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed drive, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, including one continuous segment of 49 miles, suggesting periods of more open road. The drive progresses through various road types, transitioning between the wider, faster highways and potentially more local or beltway sections as you approach your destination. Expect the feel of the road to shift, offering a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous one.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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 49 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.2 miles in near US 15.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 116.8 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 15.2 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles (US 15 / Market Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
15.2 mi into trip|~19m in|US 15
Take the exit onto US 15 toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
7
15.4 mi into trip|~19m in|US 15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
15.4 mi into trip|~19m in|US 15 / Market Street
Merge onto US 15 / Market Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
32.2 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 80 East: Bloomsburg
7
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
Keystone Shortway
49 mi
53m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Susquehanna Beltway
13.6 mi
16m
US Highway 15
11.7 mi
16m
Westbranch Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Montgomery Pike
1.3 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Market Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 49 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jersey Shore, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Mount Pleasant Avenue
0.1 mi·36 sec·Mount Pleasant Avenue
2
Turn right onto Allegheny Street
0.6 mi·59 sec·Allegheny Street
3
Turn left onto PA 44
0.6 mi·56 sec·North Main Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
5
Merge onto US 220
14 mi·16 min·Susquehanna Beltway
6
Take the exit onto US 15
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 15
Exit 27AToward US 15 South: LewisburgUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
159 ft·5 sec·US 15
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 15
0.9 mi·2 min·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn slight left onto US 15
1.3 mi·2 min·Montgomery Pike
10
Continue on US 15
12 mi·16 min·US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 15
2.9 mi·3 min·Westbranch Highway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 80 East: BloomsburgUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
14
Merge onto I 80
49 mi·53 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
16
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
18
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
21
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
22
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this is a manageable 2h 24m drive, you have the flexibility to leave anytime that suits you, though an early start can ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With no designated stops mentioned, plan your own brief pauses as needed; the longest uninterrupted stretch is 49 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which might be a good point to consider a quick break if desired. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $19, and ensure you're aware of potential rest areas along I 81 and the Susquehanna Beltway.
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 58.4 miles from Jersey Shore, PA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Jersey Shore, 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 Jersey Shore, PA
This is one driving day of about 116.8 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Jersey Shore, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 49 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.4 mi from Jersey Shore, PA
· 1h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.36 one way
$38.73 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.21
$42.42
premium
$4.93
$22.65
$45.30
diesel
$5.61
$25.79
$51.58
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: 40.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35
0
$12.26
$5.61
Efficient EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
EV Truck/SUV
46.7
0
$16.35
$7.48
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Jersey Shore, PA
Evening
in Jersey Shore on Friday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Evening
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive 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
30 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 24m 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 Jersey Shore, PA to Scranton, PA covers 116.8 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 81, Susquehanna Beltway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.4 miles from Jersey Shore, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.36 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 15 significant decision points across 116.8 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 15.2 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles (US 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.4 miles (US 15 / Market Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Jersey Shore, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
