Origin
Scranton, PA
Evening in Scranton on Thursday
Local time
8:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scranton, PA to Sandy Lake, PA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
280.7 mi
452 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sandy Lake, PA
Connor Scott McManus
Trip Overview
The drive from Scranton, PA to Sandy Lake, PA covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Keystone Shortway, American Legion Memorial Highway, Sandy Lake Grove City Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 234.9 miles on Keystone Shortway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
140.4 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 280.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 14m drive with frequent turns across 280.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 234.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Lackawanna Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 0.3 miles (CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese 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
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue
Turn right onto CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
34.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 151B
Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
5
270 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward PA 173: Grove City, Sandy Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 173: Grove City, Sandy Lake
5
280.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
|
US 62 / Mercer Street
Turn sharp left onto US 62 / Mercer Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 234.9 mi | 4h 13m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 32.7 mi | 39m |
| Sandy Lake Grove City Road | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Sandy Lake Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| River Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lackawanna Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 234.9 mi, about 4h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scranton, PA and Sandy Lake, PA.
1
Start on Wyoming Avenue
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Lackawanna Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 3023
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
4
Continue on Cedar Avenue
400 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
5
Turn left onto River Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
7
Merge onto I 81
33 mi
·
39 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 151B
Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
9
Merge onto I 80
235 mi
·
4 hr 13 min
·
Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward PA 173: Grove City, Sandy Lake
11
Turn right onto PA 173
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sandy Lake Road
12
Continue on PA 173
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Sandy Lake Grove City Road
13
Continue on PA 173
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn sharp left onto US 62
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
Mercer Street
15
Arrive at destination
US 62
Trip Plan
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 140.4 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.9 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 62 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy Lake, 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 280.7 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Keystone Shortway for about 234.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 140.4 mi from Scranton, PA · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.4 miles from Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.9 miles.
Arriving in Sandy Lake, PA
The final approach into Sandy Lake, 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 Sandy Lake, PA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.54 one way
$93.07 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $50.97 | $101.94 |
| premium | $4.93 | $54.44 | $108.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.98 | $123.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.2 | 1 | $29.47 | $13.47 |
| Efficient EV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.56 | $11.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.30 | $17.96 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Sandy Lake, PA
Evening in Sandy Lake on Thursday
Local time
8:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
3 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
5h 14m 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 Scranton, PA to Sandy Lake, PA covers 280.7 miles and takes about 5h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, American Legion Memorial Highway, Sandy Lake Grove City Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.4 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 $46.54 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 straightforward 5h 14m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Scranton, PA to Sandy Lake, PA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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