Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
302.3 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from McDonald, PA to Scranton, PA covers 302.3 miles and takes about 5h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Center Avenue, East Lincoln Avenue, Noblestown Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.63 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
151.1 miles from McDonald, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 12m drive with frequent turns across 302.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Center Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Lincoln Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Noblestown Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pinkerton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Baldwin Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cowan Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Boyce Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 376 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between McDonald, PA and Scranton, PA.
Start on Sarah Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto Center Avenue
Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue
Continue on Noblestown Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto Noblestown Road
Continue on Noblestown Road
At the end of the road, turn right onto Noblestown Road
Turn straight onto Pinkerton Road
Turn right onto Baldwin Road
Turn left onto Cowan Road
Continue on Boyce Road
Take the ramp left toward I 376 East
Merge slight left onto Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
Keep slight right to continue on Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Merge slight left onto William Penn Highway
Continue on Admiral Peary Highway
Continue on William Penn Highway
Continue on I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
Keep slight left to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Turn left onto I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Merge slight left onto Keystone Shortway
Take the exit slight left toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward PA 307
Turn left onto River Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Continue on Adams Avenue
Turn left onto Biden Street
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.1 miles or 2h 36m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving McDonald, 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 McDonald, PA
This is one driving day of about 302.3 miles and 5h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.1 mi from McDonald, PA · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 151.1 miles from McDonald, 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
$48.63 one way
$97.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $54.74 | $109.47 |
| premium | $4.95 | $58.96 | $117.92 |
| diesel | $5.98 | $71.17 | $142.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.7 | 1 | $31.74 | $14.51 |
| Efficient EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.45 | $12.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.9 | 1 | $42.32 | $19.35 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in McDonald on Saturday
Local time
7:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
7:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Jamestown, NY
151 mi in
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from McDonald, PA or browse trips ending in Scranton, PA.
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