Embark on a 236.4-mile journey from Robinson, PA, to Scranton, PA, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. This trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a direct route between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. You'll be navigating primarily via the Keystone Shortway and I-99 before transitioning to I-81 for the latter part of your travels. With a projected fuel cost of around $39, this route offers an economical way to cover ground. The overall experience is a mixed drive, offering a variety of road types to keep things interesting.
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
118.2 miles from Robinson, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m 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 4h 38m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive presents a mixed bag of road experiences, with 38% of the journey taking place on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 99.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a longer, more uninterrupted driving segment. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress. Expect the character of the drive to evolve, offering a dynamic experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, allowing you to experience different aspects of Pennsylvania's landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,273 ft528 ft
Total Climb
2,794 ft
Total Descent
3,142 ft
Highest Point
2,273 ft
~16.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,745 ft
Notable High Points
1,381 ft at ~135.1 miles+549 ft prominence
1,409 ft at ~202.6 miles+532 ft prominence
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 43.8 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 236.4 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 43.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.6 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
43.8 mi into trip|~59m 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
85.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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.
6
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
101.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
235.7 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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 Robinson, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
43.3 mi in|~58m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
William Penn Highway
25.4 mi
31m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Robinson Street
4 mi
6m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Robinson, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 259
4.0 mi·6 min·Robinson Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
3
Turn right onto US 22
8.7 mi·11 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
6
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
8
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
9
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.
10
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
11
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
14
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
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
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
19
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
20
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip covering 236.4 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Consider an early morning start to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the 4 hours and 38 minutes of driving. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, where services might be less frequent. This route is designed for efficient travel, so a well-timed departure is key to enjoying the drive without feeling rushed.
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 118.2 miles from Robinson, PA, or about 2h 22m 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 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 22m 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 44m
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 Robinson, 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 Robinson, PA
This is one driving day of about 236.4 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Robinson, 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 118.2 mi from Robinson, PA
· 2h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 24.5
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 16.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.19 one way
$78.38 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$42.92
$85.85
premium
$4.93
$45.85
$91.69
diesel
$5.61
$52.19
$104.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.82
$11.35
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Robinson, PA
Late night
in Robinson on Saturday
Local time
3:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
3:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 8 to 18 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:13AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
27 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
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Robinson, PA to Scranton, PA covers 236.4 miles and takes about 4h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 99, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.2 miles from Robinson, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.19 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 236.4 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 43.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.6 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Robinson, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 528 ft to 2,273 ft elevation with about 2,794 ft of total climbing. There are 2 notable high points along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial.
