This 119.1-mile drive from Richland, PA, to Scranton, PA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, this route is almost entirely highway driving, making it an efficient option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, it's an economical choice for exploring within Pennsylvania's Northeast region. The straightforward nature of this drive means you can focus on reaching your destination without significant detours, making it ideal for those seeking a quick and practical transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.5 miles from Richland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
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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 2h 19m. Total distance: 119.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 96% of this 119.1-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 94.9 miles. This character suggests a consistent pace, with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops along the main thoroughfare. While the landscape may vary, the driving experience itself is largely defined by efficient, high-speed travel on well-maintained interstate roads, allowing for a predictable and swift journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 94.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Drexel Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 119.1 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: near the start (North Drexel Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Drexel Avenue
Turn right onto North Drexel Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
5
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
5
108.6 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 315 North: Scranton
Given this route's short duration of under 2.5 hours, it's perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Richland, PA, in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 95 miles, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or after this segment, perhaps around the midway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $20 estimate is based on efficient highway speeds, and ensure you have enough to reach Scranton comfortably.
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 59.5 miles from Richland, PA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 11m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Richland, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Richland, PA
This is one driving day of about 119.1 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Richland, 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 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Richland, PA
· 1h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Richland, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.75 one way
$39.49 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$21.63
$43.25
premium
$4.93
$23.10
$46.20
diesel
$5.61
$26.30
$52.59
Estimated Tolls: $12.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(94.9 mi)$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
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.7
0
$12.51
$5.72
Efficient EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
EV Truck/SUV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
Gas CO2
42 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Richland, PA
Morning
in Richland on Saturday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
8:11 AM
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
32 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
2h 19m 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 Richland, PA to Scranton, PA covers 119.1 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Mid-County Expressway, 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 59.5 miles from Richland, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.75 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 119.1 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: near the start (North Drexel Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Richland, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
