This 154.6-mile journey from Rye, PA, to Scranton, PA, takes about 3 hours and 12 minutes, making it a comfortable day trip. You'll navigate primarily along the American Legion Memorial Highway and I-83, with some time spent on South Queen Street. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $26. Given its manageable length and the character of the roads, it's best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This route stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward transition between two Pennsylvania points.
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
77.3 miles from Rye, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m 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 3h 12m. Total distance: 154.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (22%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 154.6-mile trip. With only 22% of the route on highways, you'll experience a more varied driving experience, shifting between local roads and faster stretches. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.7 miles on the American Legion Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more winding sections. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively engaged with the road, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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 113.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near I 83.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.4 mi into trip|~9m in|I 83
Merge onto I 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.5 mi into trip|~48m in|I 83
Take the exit onto I 83 toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
38.5 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51B
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
5
39.1 mi into trip|~54m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
153.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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.
Between Rye, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward State College and Allentown.
State College
34.5 mi in|~48m|via I 83
Allentown
38.5 mi in|~53m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
34.1 mi
43m
South Queen Street
1.8 mi
3m
Ironstone Hill Road
1.2 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Ferree Hill Road
0.6 mi
1m
Hess Farm Road
0.5 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rye, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 214
0.5 mi·1 min·Hess Farm Road
2
Continue on Honey Valley Road
440 ft·12 sec·Honey Valley Road
3
Turn slight left onto Ferree Hill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Ferree Hill Road
4
Turn straight onto Ironstone Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Ironstone Hill Road
5
Continue on PA 74
1.8 mi·3 min·South Queen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 83
30 mi·38 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 83
4.0 mi·5 min·I 83
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State CollegeUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·47 sec
Exit 51BToward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
10
Merge onto I 81
114 mi·2 hr 13 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
12
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
15
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
16
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential local traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $26, this is an easy day trip, so you have the flexibility to linger if you find a point of interest. Pay attention to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, especially on local roads like South Queen Street, and be mindful of the 113.7-mile longest stretch on the American Legion Memorial Highway to plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. Keep an eye out for changes in speed limits as you move between highway and local road segments.
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 77.3 miles from Rye, PA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.3 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
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 Rye, 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 Rye, PA
This is one driving day of about 154.6 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Rye, 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 113.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.3 mi from Rye, PA
· 1h 39m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 58.6
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 26.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.4
0
$16.23
$7.42
Efficient EV
38.7
0
$13.53
$6.18
EV Truck/SUV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 17, 2026
Origin
Rye, PA
Late night
in Rye on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
3:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Fog
W 3 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
75°F
South Lebanon, PA
77 mi in
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
12 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
3h 12m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rye, PA to Scranton, PA covers 154.6 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are American Legion Memorial Highway, I 83, South Queen Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.3 miles from Rye, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.63 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.6 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Rye, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward State College and Allentown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
