Origin
Northampton, PA
Afternoon in Northampton on Saturday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northampton, PA to Scranton, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
70 mi
113 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northampton, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Northampton to Scranton is 70 miles and takes about 1 hour 29 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, staying within the state for the entire journey. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's ideal for a quick day trip. Given its relatively short length and direct path, it’s a practical option for moving between these two points without much fuss.
About the Cities
Arriving in Scranton, PA
Full guide →Scranton is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is near Wilkes-Barre, and is the seventh most populous city in the state. Today, it is perhaps best known as the setting of the hit TV show "The Office" and the birthplace of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 70 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this route, with 79% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including a continuous stretch of 38.5 miles. While much of the drive is on higher-speed roads, you'll also utilize PA 145 and I-81, offering a mix of toll road and interstate driving. The character is predominantly about efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 PA 145. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near PA 145.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70 miles you will encounter 17 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 2.3 miles (PA 145): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
PA 145
Merge onto PA 145
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
17.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 209 / Interchange Road
Turn right onto US 209 / Interchange Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
19.5 mi into trip
|
~29m 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
19.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
7
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 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 Northampton, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
Patp
19.5 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| PA 145 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Lehigh Drive | 7 mi | 9m |
| Interchange Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 38.5 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northampton, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto PA 329
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
East 21st Street
3
Continue on PA 329
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto 2nd Street
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
2nd Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
6
Merge onto PA 145
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
PA 145
Use the straight lane.
7
At end of road, turn left onto PA 248
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lehigh Drive
8
Turn right onto US 209
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Interchange Road
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 476, PATP
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
11
Merge onto I 476; PATP
39 mi
·
43 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
14
Merge onto PA 315
523 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chestnut Street
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
16
Merge onto I 81
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 81
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
18
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
21
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
22
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35 mi from Northampton, PA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35 miles from Northampton, 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
$11.61 one way
$23.21 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $12.71 | $25.42 |
| premium | $4.93 | $13.58 | $27.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.46 | $30.91 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$5
Total
$17
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| Efficient EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28 | 0 | $9.80 | $4.48 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Afternoon in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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 29m 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 Northampton, PA to Scranton, PA covers 70 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, PA 145, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35 miles from Northampton, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.61 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 70 miles you will encounter 17 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 2.3 miles (PA 145): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Northampton, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Scranton, PA
More trips to Scranton, PA
Explore more options from Northampton, PA or browse trips ending in Scranton, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.