Oakdale, PA to Scranton, PA is 295.3 miles and takes about 6h 5m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a mixed driving experience. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for a quick transit across the state. You'll spend about 38% of your time on highways, making it a balanced journey.
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
147.6 miles from Oakdale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed drive, with 38% of your time spent on highways. You'll experience stretches of the Keystone Shortway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 99.3 miles, likely offering a more consistent pace. As you transition between the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, expect the road's character to vary, blending faster highway sections with potentially more varied terrain and speed limits. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 6 hours.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 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 12.2 miles in near I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 295.3 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 12.2 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.5 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
12.2 mi into trip|~20m in|I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 East: Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
6
102.7 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
144.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
294.6 mi into trip|~6h 4m 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 Oakdale, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
102.2 mi in|~2h 26m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.7 mi
20m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
7.9 mi
11m
Noblestown Road
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakdale, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto PA 978; Orange Belt
1.9 mi·3 min·Noblestown Road
3
Turn straight onto Pinkerton Road
104 ft·8 sec·Pinkerton Road
4
Turn right onto Baldwin Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Baldwin Road
5
Turn left onto Cowan Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Cowan Road
6
Continue on Boyce Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Boyce Road
7
Take the ramp
342 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 East
8
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
7.9 mi·11 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30
15 mi·20 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 East: MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
15
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
16
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.
17
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
18
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
21
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
23
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
26
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
27
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m duration, starting your trip from Oakdale, PA, in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Scranton, PA, with daylight to spare. The $49 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway where services might be less frequent. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically to break up the drive comfortably. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but be aware of potential traffic, particularly as you approach more populated areas.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.6 miles from Oakdale, PA, or about 3h 16m 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 65 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.6 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 1m
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 Oakdale, 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 Oakdale, PA
This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Oakdale, 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 147.6 mi from Oakdale, PA
· 3h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.6 miles from Oakdale, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 81.5
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 71.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.96 one way
$97.91 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$53.62
$107.24
premium
$4.93
$57.27
$114.54
diesel
$5.61
$65.20
$130.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.01
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.34
$18.90
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Oakdale, PA
Morning
in Oakdale on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
5 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
6h 5m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Oakdale, PA to Scranton, PA covers 295.3 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.6 miles from Oakdale, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 295.3 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 12.2 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.5 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Oakdale, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
