Wilmerding to Scranton is 273.7 miles and takes about 5h 35m via the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's a single-day trip that offers a mixed driving experience, meaning you'll encounter different types of roads rather than just endless interstate. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state without a need for an overnight stop.
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
136.9 miles from Wilmerding, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m 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 5h 35m. Total distance: 273.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with about 33% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Keystone Shortway, experiencing a longest stretch of 99.3 miles on this road. Expect the character of the drive to shift as you transition between the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99. This means you'll likely encounter varied speed limits and road conditions, moving between more open highway stretches and potentially more local road sections.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 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.
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 81.2 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 22 significant decision points across 273.7 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 81.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
81.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m 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
123 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
127 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
139.3 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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 Wilmerding, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
80.7 mi in|~1h 56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
59.7 mi
1h 22m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Mosside Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
Broadway Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
Northern Pike
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilmerding, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Clara Street
23 ft·7 sec·Clara Street
2
Turn left onto Westinghouse Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·Westinghouse Avenue
3
Turn right onto Station Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Station Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Station Street
490 ft·11 sec·Station Street
5
Turn left onto Yellow Belt
0.2 mi·29 sec·Patton Street
6
Turn right onto Avenue U
214 ft·6 sec·Avenue U
7
At end of road, turn right onto Avenue U
229 ft·11 sec·Avenue U
8
Turn left onto Watkins Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Watkins Avenue
9
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·State Street
10
Continue on PA 130
1.8 mi·2 min·Broadway Boulevard
11
Turn left onto PA 48; Orange Belt
2.7 mi·4 min·Mosside Boulevard
12
Turn straight
0.1 mi·25 sec
13
At end of road, turn right onto Northern Pike
1.7 mi·3 min·Northern Pike
14
Turn right onto US 22
43 mi·1 hr 2 min·William Penn Highway
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
19
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
20
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.
21
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
22
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
23
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
25
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
27
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
30
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
31
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 5h 35m, this is a manageable one-day drive. It's best to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours and allow for a comfortable pace. You'll need to make at least one stop, so plan this into your timing. Given the 273.7-mile distance and a fuel cost estimated at $44, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway where services might be more spaced out. There are no specific challenges mentioned, but always be prepared for potential construction or traffic delays.
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 136.9 miles from Wilmerding, PA, or about 2h 59m 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 60 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.9 miles or 2h 59m 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 35m
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 Wilmerding, 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 Wilmerding, PA
This is one driving day of about 273.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Wilmerding, 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 136.9 mi from Wilmerding, PA
· 2h 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 136.9 miles from Wilmerding, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.
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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 56.6
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 56.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.74
$13.14
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
EV Truck/SUV
109.5
1
$38.32
$17.52
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Wilmerding, PA
Morning
in Wilmerding on Saturday
Local time
8:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
8:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph0% 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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 35m 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 Wilmerding, PA to Scranton, PA covers 273.7 miles and takes about 5h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, I 99. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.9 miles from Wilmerding, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.03 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 22 significant decision points across 273.7 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 81.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Wilmerding, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
