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Trip from Bensalem, PA to Scranton, PA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 24m

Distance

126 mi

203 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States

Bensalem, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 126.3-mile journey from Bensalem, PA, to Scranton, PA, is a straightforward day trip, easily completed in about 2 hours. You'll navigate primarily using Knights Road, Street Road, and US 1 North, with no significant highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, making it an economical option. Given its short duration and local road profile, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion, offering a relaxed pace through Pennsylvania's Northeast region. No overnight stays are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

63 miles from Bensalem, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 94.1 mi 1h 43m
Pennsylvania Turnpike 17.1 mi 18m
I 81 8.2 mi 9m
Street Road 1.9 mi 3m
River Street 1 mi 1m
Cedar Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Lincoln Highway 0.3 mi <1m
Biden Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension — 94.1 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bensalem, PA and Scranton, PA.

1

Start on this road

135 ft · 16 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Knights Road

261 ft · 7 sec · Knights Road
3

Turn left onto PA 132

1.9 mi · 3 min · Street Road
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 1 North: Trenton
5

Merge onto US 1

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Lincoln Highway
Toward US 1 North: Morrisville
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 276, PATP Use the right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 276; PATP

17 mi · 18 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 476: Chester, Allentown Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 476 North: Allentown
11

Merge onto I 476; PATP

94 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
14

Merge onto PA 315

523 ft · 8 sec · Chestnut Street
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
16

Merge onto I 81

8.2 mi · 9 min · I 81
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward PA 307
18

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
19

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Continue on Adams Avenue

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Adams Avenue
21

Turn left onto Biden Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Biden Street
22

Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

135 ft · 4 sec · Wyoming Avenue
23

Arrive at destination

Wyoming Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour drive from Bensalem to Scranton, a morning departure is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Scranton with plenty of the day to explore. Since the route is only 126.3 miles and doesn't feature long highway stretches, you can easily complete it in one go, but don't hesitate to pull over if you see a convenient spot for a break. The $21 fuel cost is quite manageable, so focus on staying alert for the many turns indicated by the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. A specific tip: pay close attention to signage for US 1 North, as this will be your primary connector for a significant portion of the trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Bensalem, PA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.1 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 28 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63 miles or 1h 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 1h 56m

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 Bensalem, 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 Bensalem, PA

This is one driving day of about 126 miles and 2h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Bensalem, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 94.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in Pennsylvania, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Palmerton, PA

63 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

Lansdale, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palmerton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63 miles from Bensalem, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Cafe Light

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12154379790

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–8 am

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15706554116

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Moosic, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12152475777

Visit website

Fischer's Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+12153687602

Visit website

Northampton Township Municipal Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Churchville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12153576800

Visit website

Ambler Arboretum of Temple University

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Ambler, Pennsylvania

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12674688000

Visit website

Otherworld Philadelphia

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12673325391

Visit website

Harold F. Pitcairn Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Horsham, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+12156722277

Visit website

Lake Lenape Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sellersville, Pennsylvania

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12152575065

Elmwood Park Zoo

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+16102773825

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 125.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Knights Road

Turn left onto Knights Road

Navigation decision point

7
2.4 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I 276, PATP

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 276, PATP
8
3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 276 Toll West: Harrisburg, Allentown
7
20.3 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 476: Chester, Allentown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 476: Chester, Allentown
7
125.4 mi into trip | ~2h 23m 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

$20.89 one way

$41.78 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $22.88 $45.76
premium $4.93 $24.44 $48.87
diesel $5.61 $27.82 $55.64

Estimated Tolls: $14.45

Pennsylvania Turnpike (111.1 mi) $14.45

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

$21

Tolls

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.8 0 $13.23 $6.05
Efficient EV 31.5 0 $11.02 $5.04
EV Truck/SUV 50.4 0 $17.64 $8.06

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Bensalem, PA

Morning in Bensalem on Tuesday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scranton, PA

Morning in Scranton on Tuesday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

2 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

2h 24m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 21.7
Park Closure: Sun, Apr 19 - Park Entrance and Tour Roads Temporarily Closed for Rev Run
Park Closure: Admin Parking Lot Closed Fri 4/17 Until Sun 4/19 at Noon for Rev Run Setup
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour $1 near mile 17.4
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour Free near mile 17.4
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour Free near mile 21.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this entire 126.3-mile route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating through various local roads for the full 2-hour duration. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. This means you'll be consistently engaged with the road, moving through varied local landscapes rather than settling into a monotonous highway cruise. Keep your attention sharp for the numerous intersections and changes in road names.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Knights Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 126 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: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Bensalem, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Allentown along the way.

Allentown

20.3 mi in | ~24m

About the Cities

Arriving in Scranton, PA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 126 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $14.45 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Knights Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scranton, PA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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