Avalon, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 288.5 miles and takes about 5h 56m via California Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, and Ohio River Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, which means you'll be navigating local traffic and intersections for most of the 5-hour journey. If you're looking for a straightforward, single-day trip without the complexities of highway driving, this route offers a direct connection between these two points.
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
144.2 miles from Avalon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
13.8 mi
19m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Ohio River Boulevard
4.6 mi
8m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,120 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,611
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Avalon, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
52 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right
72 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right onto California Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·California Avenue
4
Turn right onto Elizabeth Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Elizabeth Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 65
4.6 mi·8 min·Ohio River Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
328 ft·6 sec
Toward I 279 South: Downtown Pittsburgh, Fort Pitt Bridge, Airport, Monroeville
7
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·28 sec·this road
Exit 1B-CToward US 19, PA 65: North Shore, Ohio River Boulevard
8
Continue on I 279
0.2 mi·22 sec·Fort Duquesne Bridge
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward Downtown, MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Downtown PittsburghUse the slight left lane.
11
Continue on Fort Pitt Boulevard
0.2 mi·20 sec·Fort Pitt Boulevard
12
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
13
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
14 mi·19 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
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
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 56-minute duration, starting your drive in Avalon, PA earlier in the morning, around 8 or 9 AM, should allow you to reach Scranton with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one stop recommended, you can plan for a meal or a quick stretch break about halfway through your journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip primarily on surface roads, be mindful of local speed limits and potential delays in populated areas, especially as you navigate through the various towns along California Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, and Ohio River Boulevard.
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 144.2 miles from Avalon, PA, or about 3h 12m 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 63 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 3h 12m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Avalon, 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 Avalon, PA
This is one driving day of about 288.5 miles and 5h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Avalon, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 288.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Monroeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Downtown, Monroeville
8
6 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Downtown Pittsburgh
7
154.5 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 56m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.77 one way
$101.54 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$55.52
$111.04
premium
$5.23
$59.36
$118.72
diesel
$6.18
$70.18
$140.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.29
$13.85
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.39
$18.46
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Avalon, PA
Night
in Avalon on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
N 8 to 14 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Night
in City of Scranton on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Cloudy
N 13 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
11 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 56m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 69.6
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 69.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be on local streets like California Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue, and Ohio River Boulevard for the entire 288.5 miles. Be prepared for consistent traffic signals and potential merging with local traffic as you pass through towns and urban areas. The longest stretch without a significant break is not specified, but the overall duration suggests a steady pace on non-highway surfaces.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.6 miles in near PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard.
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 21 significant decision points across 288.5 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 0.6 miles (PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,969 ft512 ft
Total Climb
2,067 ft
Total Descent
2,282 ft
Highest Point
1,969 ft
~82.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,457 ft
Notable High Points
1,584 ft at ~185.9 miles+597 ft prominence
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 Avalon, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
95.8 mi in|~2h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 288.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at City of Scranton, PA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Scranton, PA before the return drive.
