Origin
Nesquehoning, PA
Night in Nesquehoning on Sunday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 13m
Distance
52.8 mi
85 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nesquehoning, PA
Haneul Trac
Connecting Nesquehoning to Scranton, this 52.8-mile journey is a straightforward trek through Pennsylvania’s Northeast region. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 13 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the route is as economical as it is efficient. You will primarily utilize the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81 to navigate between these two points. Because the distance is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to arrive and return on your own terms. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from the southern end of the region to the hub of Scranton without unnecessary complications.
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
26.4 miles from Nesquehoning, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 67% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted 27-mile stretch while navigating the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which allows for consistent speeds. Transitioning from the turnpike to I-81, the road shifts from regional connectivity to a more major interstate corridor. While you will spend a portion of the trip on North Street to bridge the gap between highways, the overall character remains functional rather than technical. Expect a steady, predictable pace that prioritizes moving you toward your destination quickly rather than offering winding or complex backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and North Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near PA 903 / North Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 52.8 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 4 miles (PA 903 / North Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto PA 903 / North Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward PATP North, I 476 North: Scranton
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 315 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Nesquehoning, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp North along the way.
Patp North
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 27 mi | 31m |
| North Street | 10.4 mi | 19m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| East Catawissa Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lehigh Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Biden Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Nesquehoning, PA and Scranton, PA.
Start on North Mermon Avenue
Turn right onto US 209
Continue on US 209
Turn left onto PA 903
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto PA 315
Take the exit
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn left onto River Street
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Continue on Adams Avenue
Turn left onto Biden Street
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short trip of just over an hour, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will always ensure a smoother ride. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the quick duration, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Nesquehoning is a smart way to stick to your $9 budget. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the turnpike to I-81 to avoid missing your exit on the highway-heavy sections. Because the route is so compact, you can easily adapt your departure time based on your personal agenda. Pack some light snacks and water in the car to maintain your energy, as the lack of planned stops means you’ll want to be self-sufficient until you reach 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 52.8 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.4 miles or 40m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Nesquehoning, 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 Nesquehoning, PA
This is one driving day of about 52.8 miles and 1h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from Nesquehoning, PA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Nesquehoning, 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
$8.74 one way
$17.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $9.56 | $19.12 |
| premium | $4.92 | $10.23 | $20.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.73 | $23.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.51
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
$9
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.62 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Nesquehoning on Sunday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
26 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
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.
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