Scranton, PA to Newtown, PA is 115 miles and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, taking you from the Northeast region down to another part of the Northeast. Expect a drive that's mostly on highways, making it a straightforward journey. It's a manageable distance for a single day, perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
57.5 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 115 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 61% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 70.2 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering a consistent pace. Beyond the turnpike, the roads transition, incorporating sections of Durham Road and American Legion Memorial Highway, which may offer a change of scenery and pace. The character shifts from open highway to potentially more local road driving as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 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 70.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Durham Road. 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 Lackawanna Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 115 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 (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Lackawanna Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
10.5 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
6
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
8
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44
Toward PA 663: Pottstown, Quakertown
7
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 663 North: Quakertown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward PA 663 North: Quakertown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scranton, PA and Newtown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Quakertown.
Exit 44Toward PA 663: Pottstown, QuakertownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
227 ft·7 sec
Toward PA 663 North: QuakertownUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto PA 663
2.7 mi·3 min·John Fries Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on PA 663
1.9 mi·4 min·West Broad Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 313
0.7 mi·1 min·West Broad Street
20
Continue on PA 313
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Broad Street
21
Continue on PA 313
1.2 mi·2 min·Doylestown Pike
22
Continue on PA 313
1.3 mi·2 min·East Broad Street
23
Continue on PA 313; PA 563
2.3 mi·3 min·West Dublin Pike
24
Continue on PA 313
2.8 mi·4 min·Doylestown Pike
25
Continue on PA 313
0.3 mi·48 sec·Main Street North
26
Continue on PA 313
0.8 mi·1 min·South Dublin Pike
27
Continue on PA 313
5.4 mi·8 min·Swamp Road
28
Turn left onto US 202
2.5 mi·3 min·East State Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto PA 413
9.3 mi·14 min·Durham Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto PA 532
0.5 mi·1 min·Durham Road
31
Turn right onto North Sycamore Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·North Sycamore Street
32
Turn left onto West Washington Avenue
449 ft·8 sec·West Washington Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
West Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 30 minute duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Consider leaving in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for an early arrival. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $19, you won't need to worry too much about extensive breaks or budgeting. Keep an eye out for transitions between the main highway and local roads as you get closer to Newtown, as this is where the driving experience will change most notably.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.5 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.2 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newtown, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scranton, 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 Scranton, PA
This is one driving day of about 115 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Scranton, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 70.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.5 mi from Scranton, PA
· 1h 7m 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.
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 115
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
Free
near mile 95.2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.06
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
2:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Newtown, PA
Afternoon
in Newtown on Friday
Local time
2:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
2 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 30m 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 Scranton, PA to Newtown, PA covers 115 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Durham Road, American Legion Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.5 miles from Scranton, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.07 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 115 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Scranton, PA and Newtown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Quakertown.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Independence National Historical Park, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and Valley Forge National Historical Park.
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.
