Trip from Old Forge, PA to City of Scranton, PA

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

182.9 mi

294 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Old Forge, PA, PA

Old Forge, PA

Phil Evenden

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Old Forge to Scranton, expect a journey covering 182.9 miles that takes approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting about $30 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the trip. You will navigate through the Northeast region of Pennsylvania using a combination of the American Legion Memorial Highway, I-81, and Black Gap Road. It is a straightforward drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without unnecessary complexity.

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

91.4 miles from Old Forge, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mix of road types, as this journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Only 24% of your total mileage is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on local roads requiring your full attention. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the American Legion Memorial Highway, which spans 117.9 miles of the trip. The transition from these longer highway segments into more technical local driving requires you to stay alert behind the wheel. Because of the frequent turns, you should prepare for a driving experience that feels more involved and less like a standard interstate cruise.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 17.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 182.9 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 17.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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
17.6 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

6
62.1 mi into trip | ~1h 28m 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
62.5 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
67.1 mi into trip | ~1h 34m 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 none lane.
7
182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | Cedar Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Old Forge, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Marysville along the way.

Marysville

62 mi in | ~1h 27m

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
Rocky Mountain Road 4.2 mi 7m
Old Forge Road 4.1 mi 9m
Lincoln Way East 2.2 mi 3m
South Mountain Road 1.8 mi 4m
River Street 1 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 Old Forge, PA and City of Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Old Forge Road

4.1 mi · 9 min · Old Forge Road
2

Turn left onto South Mountain Road

1.8 mi · 4 min · South Mountain Road
3

Turn right onto PA 233

4.2 mi · 7 min · Rocky Mountain Road
4

Turn left onto US 30

2.2 mi · 3 min · Lincoln Way East
5

Turn right onto PA 997

5.1 mi · 9 min · Black Gap Road
6

Turn right onto PA 696

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Olde Scotland Road
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
8

Merge onto I 81

44 mi · 53 min · I 81
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec
Toward US 11, US 15: Enola, Marysville
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 11 North, US 15 North: Marysville
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Use the none lane.
12

Merge onto I 81

0.7 mi · 1 min · George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 81

3.4 mi · 4 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

115 mi · 2 hr 15 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward PA 307
16

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
17

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Arrive at destination

Cedar Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable day trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one planned stop will help you break up the nearly four-hour duration. Because the route relies heavily on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is wise to keep a steady pace and account for the extra time needed to navigate turns. Make sure your fuel levels are sufficient before hitting the road, as the $30 estimate is a baseline for the 182.9-mile distance. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your focus during the local road segments, as the shift from the long American Legion Memorial Highway stretch can be abrupt. Keep an eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on track during the more technical portions of the journey.

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 91.4 miles from Old Forge, PA, or about 2h 3m 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 80 miles or 1h 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.4 miles or 2h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Old Forge, 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 Old Forge, PA

This is one driving day of about 182.9 miles and 3h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Old Forge, 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 91.4 mi from Old Forge, PA · 2h 3m into the drive

Downtown Ithaca, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ithaca, NY

91 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

Staten Island, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.4 miles from Old Forge, 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 City of Scranton, PA

The final approach into City of 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 City of 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.26 one way

$60.53 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $33.12 $66.23
premium $4.92 $35.44 $70.88
diesel $5.64 $40.63 $81.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.9 0 $19.20 $8.78
Efficient EV 45.7 0 $16.00 $7.32
EV Truck/SUV 73.2 0 $25.61 $11.71

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Old Forge, PA

Afternoon in Old Forge on Sunday

Local time

4:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Scranton, PA

Afternoon in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

4:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°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

5 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 52m 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 Old Forge, PA to City of Scranton, PA covers 182.9 miles and takes about 3h 52m 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 91.4 miles from Old Forge, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.26 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 182.9 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 17.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Old Forge, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Marysville along the way.

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Return Trip

City of Scranton, PA to Old Forge, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

182.8 mi 3h 51m

Explore more options from Old Forge, PA or browse trips ending in City of Scranton, PA.

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