Origin
Monessen, PA
Morning in Monessen on Wednesday
Local time
11:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monessen, PA to Scranton, PA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 50m
Distance
289.9 mi
467 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 57m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monessen, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 289.9-mile journey from Monessen, PA, to Scranton, PA, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using the Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a portion on the William Penn Highway. With 31% of the drive on highways, it offers a mixed experience, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $48. This route is entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, making it a straightforward trip without crossing state or regional lines. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
145 miles from Monessen, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 31% of your travel time on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of consistent progress. While much of the drive involves efficient travel, the inclusion of the William Penn Highway suggests transitions to potentially more varied road conditions. This blend means you'll experience both steady highway cruising and sections that might require more attention as the road weaves through different terrains.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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 99.3 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 31.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 289.9 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 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
31.9 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
97.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
6
139.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
155.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
7
289.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m in
|
Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monessen, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
18.3 mi in
|
~27m
Bedford
96.9 mi in
|
~2h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 99.3 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 99 | 57.2 mi | 1h 4m |
| William Penn Highway | 51 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 81 | 32.4 mi | 39m |
| Dwight D Eisenhower Highway | 15.2 mi | 20m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass | 12.9 mi | 13m |
| Grand Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monessen, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Marion Avenue
19 ft
·
6 sec
·
Marion Avenue
2
Turn left onto Grand Boulevard
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Boulevard
3
Turn right onto SR 3003
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Tyrol Boulevard
4
Continue on Tyrol Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Tyrol Road
5
Continue on Monessen Highway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Monessen Highway
6
Continue on Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
8
Merge onto I 70
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
10
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
11
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
PA 66
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
34 mi
·
47 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 22
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
17 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi
·
44 min
·
I 99; US 220
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
21
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
24
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
26
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
29
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
30
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Monessen to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 99.3 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on longer segments on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spread out. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but being prepared with snacks and a full tank before heading out will ensure a smoother experience.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145 miles from Monessen, PA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145 miles or 3h 4m 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 46m
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 Monessen, 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 Monessen, PA
This is one driving day of about 289.9 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monessen, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 99.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145 mi from Monessen, PA · 3h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 145 miles from Monessen, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.
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
$48.06 one way
$96.12 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $52.64 | $105.28 |
| premium | $4.93 | $56.22 | $112.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.01 | $128.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.90
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.9 mi)
$0.90
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87 | 1 | $30.44 | $13.92 |
| Efficient EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116 | 1 | $40.59 | $18.55 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
11:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
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
34 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
5h 50m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Monessen, PA to Scranton, PA covers 289.9 miles and takes about 5h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 99, William Penn Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145 miles from Monessen, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 289.9 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 31.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Monessen, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
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