Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
2h 25m
Distance
123.8 mi
199 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Samyantak Mohanty
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Driving from Philadelphia to Scranton covers 124.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 1 minute. Since the route stays entirely within Pennsylvania’s Northeast region, you won't experience a major shift in climate or geography, but you will move from the dense urban center of Philly toward the mountain-adjacent terrain of Scranton. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way journey. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, you should plan for a more active time behind the wheel.
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
61.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate through city streets and local roads, starting on East Penn Square, John F, and North 16th Street. The driving profile is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between local road segments. With the longest stretch being 0 miles on East Penn Square, you will find yourself constantly adjusting your speed and navigation. It is a technical, hands-on drive that demands engagement rather than the passive experience of long-distance highway travel.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,387 ft
Total Descent
1,692 ft
Highest Point
1,801 ft
~103.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,757 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 123.8 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles (I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Philadelphia, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Scranton along the way.
Scranton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 94.9 mi | 1h 44m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North 16th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
Start on South Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Turn right onto North 16th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 676; US 30
Merge onto I 76; US 30
Take the exit
Merge onto I 476
Turn slight left onto I 476
Continue on 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
Arrive at destination
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 2-hour and 1-minute drive, try to depart during off-peak hours to avoid navigating congestion while managing frequent turns. Since there are no designated stops planned for this 124.3-mile route, consider mapping out your own breaks if you prefer to stretch your legs mid-trip. Keep an eye on your GPS closely, as the lack of highway segments means you will be making many individual turns rather than staying on one main road. Budgeting $20 for gas is sufficient, but keep in mind that local stop-and-go driving can sometimes impact fuel efficiency compared to highway cruising. Prioritize a well-rested start, as the constant navigation through local streets requires more focus than a standard interstate commute.
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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.9 miles or 1h 15m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 123.8 miles and 2h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.9 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 61.9 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$20.49 one way
$40.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $22.42 | $44.83 |
| premium | $4.92 | $23.99 | $47.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.50 | $55.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.34
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
$20
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.1 | 0 | $13.00 | $5.94 |
| Efficient EV | 31 | 0 | $10.83 | $4.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Evening in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Sunny
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Return Trip
City of Scranton, PA to Philadelphia, PAPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Philadelphia, PA or browse trips ending in City of Scranton, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
Explore maps for Philadelphia, PA or City of Scranton, PA on MapSof.net.