Origin
North Catasauqua, PA
Night in North Catasauqua on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 33m
Distance
73.5 mi
118 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Catasauqua, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 73.5-mile drive from North Catasauqua, PA, to Scranton, PA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 33 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. The bulk of this journey, about 64%, is on highways, making it a relatively efficient way to travel between these two points in Pennsylvania's Northeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transit. You'll primarily be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, with a short segment on Macarthur Road.
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
36.7 miles from North Catasauqua, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 73.5-mile route, with 64% of it being on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.5 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a good opportunity to settle in and cover ground efficiently. While primarily highway, there are transitions, including a section on Macarthur Road, that break up the monotony. This route offers a blend of faster-paced driving on interstates with potential for slightly more varied scenery as you move between these stretches.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 38.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Cypress Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Cypress Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cypress Street
Turn left onto Cypress Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
US 209 / Interchange Road
Turn right onto US 209 / Interchange Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
23 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
7
72.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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 North Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Patp
23 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Macarthur Road | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Lehigh Drive | 7 mi | 9m |
| MacArthur Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Interchange Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Riverview Drive | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Lehigh Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 38.5 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Catasauqua, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto Cypress Street
432 ft
·
10 sec
·
Cypress Street
3
Continue on Eugene Street
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Eugene Street
4
Continue on Lehigh Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Lehigh Street
5
Turn right onto PA 145
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
MacArthur Road
6
Continue on PA 145
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Macarthur Road
7
Continue on PA 145
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Best Avenue
8
Continue on PA 145
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Best Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on PA 145
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverview Drive
10
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lehigh Drive
11
Turn right onto US 209
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Interchange Road
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
14
Merge onto I 476; PATP
39 mi
·
43 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
17
Merge onto PA 315
523 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chestnut Street
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
19
Merge onto I 81
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 81
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
21
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
24
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
25
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart whenever it's most convenient, whether that's a morning start to maximize your day or an afternoon departure. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps in a town along I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated $12 cost suggests you won't need frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip: since a significant portion is on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, be aware of potential tolls.
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 36.7 miles from North Catasauqua, PA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.5 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 49m 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 18m
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 North Catasauqua, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Catasauqua, PA
This is one driving day of about 73.5 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Catasauqua, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 38.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.7 mi from North Catasauqua, PA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.7 miles from North Catasauqua, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.19 one way
$24.37 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $13.35 | $26.69 |
| premium | $4.93 | $14.25 | $28.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.23 | $32.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(38.5 mi)
$5.01
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.72 | $3.53 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.29 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Night in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
9:10 PM
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
17 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
1h 33m 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 North Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA covers 73.5 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, I 81, Macarthur Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.7 miles from North Catasauqua, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.19 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.5 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Cypress Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from North Catasauqua, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
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