This 111.8-mile drive from Schoeneck, PA, to Scranton, PA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-81, with some time on PA-183 and Lancaster Avenue contributing to the journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $19, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route focuses heavily on highway travel, making it an efficient way to get from the Northeast region of Pennsylvania to another part of the same region. Expect a straightforward trip that's ideal for a quick getaway or a practical commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.9 miles from Schoeneck, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 111.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 65% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 59.6 miles on I-81, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads, you'll also navigate segments of PA-183 and Lancaster Avenue, which may offer a slightly different driving experience. Overall, anticipate a profile that favors efficient travel over winding scenic byways, making it feel like a classic interstate cruise for much of the way.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and PA 183. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 111.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
23.2 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
27 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
7
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|Biden Street
Turn left onto Biden Street
Navigation decision point
5
111.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|Wyoming Avenue
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
59.6 mi
1h 10m
PA 183
9.9 mi
15m
Lancaster Avenue
5.5 mi
6m
South College Street
5.5 mi
6m
Heidelberg Avenue
5 mi
9m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
William Penn Highway
3.5 mi
4m
South Cocalico Road
3.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Schoeneck, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on East Queen Street
421 ft·15 sec·East Queen Street
2
Turn right onto North King Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North King Street
3
Continue on South Cocalico Road
3.3 mi·7 min·South Cocalico Road
4
Turn left onto PA 897
0.6 mi·1 min·West Route 897
5
Continue on PA 897
5.0 mi·9 min·Heidelberg Avenue
6
Turn right onto PA 501
2.5 mi·2 min·Stiegel Pike
7
Continue on PA 501
5.5 mi·6 min·South College Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi·4 min·Lancaster Avenue
9
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
10
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi·31 sec·Lancaster Avenue
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
12
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·William Penn Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 17Toward PA 419: RehrersburgUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi·2 min·Four Point Road
15
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi·15 min·PA 183
16
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
17
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
18
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
19
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
20
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
21
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
23
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
25
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
28
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
29
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 2.5 hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip with no need for an overnight stay. You have the flexibility to leave when you please, but departing earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. There are no specific recommended stops on this route, so plan your breaks as needed, perhaps during the longer 59.6-mile stretch on I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost of $19 suggests a relatively efficient trip, but it's always wise to be aware.
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 55.9 miles from Schoeneck, PA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 4m
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 Schoeneck, 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 Schoeneck, PA
This is one driving day of about 111.8 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Schoeneck, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.9 mi from Schoeneck, PA
· 1h 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 55.9 miles from Schoeneck, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 15.4
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.54 one way
$37.07 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.30
$40.60
premium
$4.93
$21.68
$43.36
diesel
$5.61
$24.68
$49.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.5
0
$11.74
$5.37
Efficient EV
28
0
$9.78
$4.47
EV Truck/SUV
44.7
0
$15.65
$7.16
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 14, 2026
Origin
Schoeneck, PA
Afternoon
in Schoeneck on Friday
Local time
2:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
2:31 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph27% chanceLive 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
36 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
2h 29m 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 Schoeneck, PA to Scranton, PA covers 111.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, PA 183, Lancaster Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.9 miles from Schoeneck, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.54 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Schoeneck, PA to Scranton, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
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.
