This 172.1-mile drive from Mount Union, PA to Scranton, PA is a solid choice for a single-day trip, estimated to take around 2 hours and 50 minutes. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, suggesting a more intimate journey through Pennsylvania's landscape. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $28, and with only one recommended stop, it's a relatively straightforward excursion. This trip is well-suited for those who prefer a direct, turn-heavy local drive over interstate cruising, offering a consistent pace throughout its entirety.
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
85.9 miles from Mount Union, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 171.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route from Mount Union to Scranton. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter any high-speed interstate sections, making for a more engaged driving experience. The main roads you'll follow include Lincoln Way East, Black Gap Road, and Olde Scotland Road. Since there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you move through local communities and varying terrain. This drive will keep you actively involved behind the wheel, requiring constant attention to navigation.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
American Legion Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 117.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 171.8 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 6.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 81
Merge onto I 81
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
50.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
6
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
171.2 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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.
On the drive from Mount Union, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Marysville along the way.
Marysville
50.5 mi in|~1h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
117.9 mi
2h 19m
I 81
44.2 mi
53m
Black Gap Road
5.1 mi
9m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Lincoln Way East
0.8 mi
1m
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
0.7 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Biden Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 117.9 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Union, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
38 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Lincoln Way East
3
Turn right onto PA 997
5.1 mi·9 min·Black Gap Road
4
Turn right onto PA 696
0.2 mi·27 sec·Olde Scotland Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
6
Merge onto I 81
44 mi·53 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
10
Merge onto I 81
0.7 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 81
3.4 mi·4 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
115 mi·2 hr 15 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
14
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
17
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
18
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 50-minute duration and 172.1-mile distance, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, especially since it's a turn-heavy local drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, ensure your tank is sufficiently full before leaving Mount Union, as opportunities for refueling might be less frequent on these local roads. The single recommended stop is a good point to stretch your legs, but feel free to take additional short breaks as needed to stay alert. A key tip for this route is to keep your navigation system readily accessible, as the frequent turns on Lincoln Way East, Black Gap Road, and Olde Scotland Road can be demanding.
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 85.9 miles from Mount Union, PA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.9 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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 47m 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 51m
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 Mount Union, 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 Mount Union, PA
This is one driving day of about 171.8 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Mount Union, 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 American Legion Memorial Highway for about 117.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.9 mi from Mount Union, PA
· 1h 47m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Mount Union, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before American Legion Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.9 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.48 one way
$56.96 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$31.19
$62.39
premium
$4.93
$33.32
$66.64
diesel
$5.61
$37.93
$75.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.5
0
$18.04
$8.25
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.03
$6.87
EV Truck/SUV
68.7
0
$24.05
$11.00
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Mount Union, PA
Late night
in Mount Union on Friday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
3:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
28 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 30m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mount Union, PA to Scranton, PA covers 171.8 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are American Legion Memorial Highway, I 81, Black Gap Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.9 miles from Mount Union, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.48 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 171.8 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 6.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 6.3 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mount Union, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Marysville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
