Road Trips from Scranton, PA
Heading out from Scranton, you've got a good spread of options. Plenty of destinations are within a two-hour drive, mostly on highways, with a few parks nearby. If you're looking for something a bit longer, there are also a couple of spots around four to five hours away that offer a different driving experience with more significant park access. This makes Scranton a solid launchpad for both quick day trips and more substantial excursions, with terrain that’s generally gently rolling.
Total Routes
63
Shortest
1.4h
With Parks Nearby
58
Under 2 hours
13 total in this range
Durham, PA
1h 47m75.5 mi one way
This is a quick, 1.8-hour trip mostly on the highway, making it an easy option if time is tight. It's one of the closer destinations, and it also offers access to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which isn't available on several other nearby routes.
Haines, PA
1h 29m73.2 mi one way
At 1.5 hours and 73.2 miles, this is one of the shortest drives from Scranton. It's primarily a highway route, offering a straightforward trip. While it doesn't list specific parks, it's a convenient choice for a quick getaway.
Woxall, PA
1h 59m93.6 mi one way
This 2-hour drive is a good choice if you want to visit multiple significant historical parks. It includes access to Valley Forge, Independence National Historical Park, and the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, more than many other routes.
Red Hill, PA
1h 49m89.2 mi one way
A 1.8-hour drive, this route is similar in length to the Durham, PA option. Its main draw is the inclusion of Valley Forge National Historical Park, making it a good pick if you want park access on a drive that's not overly long.
Middletown, PA
1h 29m69.9 mi one way
Full-day getaway
44 total in this range
Metal, PA
3h 39m180.5 mi one way
This route stands out with its 3.7-hour drive on mostly surface roads, offering a different pace than the highway-heavy options. It also provides access to the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Elverson, PA
2h 33m112.2 mi one way
At 2.6 hours, this is a longer day trip that includes access to Valley Forge National Historical Park and First State National Historical Park. It's a highway-focused drive, offering a good balance of distance and park opportunities.
Stony Creek Mills, PA
2h 12m100.5 mi one way
This 2.2-hour drive offers access to Valley Forge National Historical Park. It's a highway route, similar to several other options under three hours, providing a straightforward path to a notable park.
Audubon, PA
2h 13m107.7 mi one way
This 2.2-hour drive provides access to Valley Forge, Independence National Historical Park, and the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, offering more historical park options than many shorter trips. It’s mostly highway.
Kenilworth, PA
2h 13m100 mi one way
This 2.2-hour drive includes access to Valley Forge National Historical Park and First State National Historical Park. It’s a highway-focused route, similar in length to other trips that offer historical park destinations.
Weekend trip
6 total in this range
Centerville, PA
4h 30m238.2 mi one way
This is one of the longest options at 4.5 hours, offering a more extended drive. It includes access to the Johnstown Flood National Memorial and the Flight 93 National Memorial, making it ideal for history buffs.
Berlin, PA
4h 55m253.6 mi one way
At nearly 5 hours, this is the longest drive from Scranton. It features access to the Flight 93 National Memorial and the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and is characterized by hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes, unlike most other gently rolling routes.
Brownsville, PA
6h 3m300.5 mi one way
Mayfield, PA
5h 34m279.2 mi one way
Palmer, PA
6h 24m311.4 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Centerville, PA
4h 30m238.2 mi one way
Berlin, PA
4h 55m253.6 mi one way
Metal, PA
3h 39m180.5 mi one way
Elverson, PA
2h 33m112.2 mi one way
Audubon, PA
2h 13m107.7 mi one way
Landisville, PA
2h 40m123.8 mi one way
Woodside, PA
2h 36m132.9 mi one way
Bridgeport, PA
2h 12m110.8 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers a good time to explore the various national parks accessible from Scranton, with gently rolling terrain likely to be clear of snow.
Summer
Summer is ideal for longer drives, especially those incorporating historical parks like Valley Forge or Independence Hall.
Fall
The fall season provides pleasant driving conditions for the mostly highway routes, with opportunities to visit parks like the Delaware Water Gap.
Winter
Winter drives can be longer, with the hilly terrain of the Berlin, PA route potentially presenting more challenging conditions.
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