Belle Vernon, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 289.1 miles and takes about 5h 46m via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads, offering a straightforward transit between two points in the state. It’s a solid choice for a single-day drive if you’re looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
144.5 miles from Belle Vernon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
William Penn Highway
51 mi
1h 6m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
17 mi
23m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.9 mi
13m
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 Belle Vernon, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 906
282 ft·5 sec·Fayette City Road
2
Continue on PA 906
0.5 mi·49 sec·Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
4
Merge onto I 70
17 mi·23 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
6
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
13 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
7
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
14
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
15
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.
16
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
17
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
20
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
22
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 46m drive, consider an early morning departure from Belle Vernon to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but planning for one stop around the halfway point is a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $48, and while there are opportunities to refuel, it's wise to top off before extended stretches on the Keystone Shortway. Be aware that the transition from highway to surface roads will naturally slow your average speed, so factor that into your timing as you get closer to Scranton.
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 144.5 miles from Belle Vernon, PA, or about 3h 1m 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 64 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.5 miles or 3h 1m 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 43m
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 Belle Vernon, 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 Belle Vernon, PA
This is one driving day of about 289.1 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Belle Vernon, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 31.5 and 288.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
31.5 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
96.9 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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.
7
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
288.9 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
$50.49 one way
$100.98 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$55.28
$110.56
premium
$5.20
$59.14
$118.28
diesel
$6.28
$71.43
$142.87
Estimated Tolls: $0.90
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.9 mi)$0.90
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.7
1
$30.36
$13.88
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.30
$11.56
EV Truck/SUV
115.6
1
$40.47
$18.50
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 19, 2026
Origin
Belle Vernon, PA
Morning
in Belle Vernon on Friday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Friday
Local time
6:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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 46m 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 69.8
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
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
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 69.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 31% highway, with a longest stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway before you transition to surface roads. You'll experience mostly rural cruising for a significant portion of the drive. Expect a steady pace on the highways, followed by surface road sections that may have more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you approach your destination.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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 31.5 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 289.1 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.8 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,922 ft506 ft
Total Climb
2,402 ft
Total Descent
2,427 ft
Highest Point
1,922 ft
~82.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,416 ft
Notable High Points
1,599 ft at ~185.8 miles+627 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belle Vernon, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 289.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m 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.
Expect about $0.90 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.8 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.
