Origin
Bethel, PA
Morning in Bethel on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bethel, PA to Scranton, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
142.9 mi
230 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethel, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bethel, PA to Scranton, PA is 142.9 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I 81, PA 183, and Beaver Valley Pike, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, making it a convenient trip if you're looking to explore Pennsylvania. You'll experience a mixed drive, so expect some variety in the scenery and road types. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is perfectly manageable for a quick getaway or a practical transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.4 miles from Bethel, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 59.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| PA 183 | 9.9 mi | 15m |
| Beaver Valley Pike | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| Stiegel Pike | 6 mi | 6m |
| Lancaster Avenue | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| South College Street | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Robert Fulton Highway | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Lititz Pike | 5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bethel, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Fulton View Road
65 ft
·
9 sec
·
Fulton View Road
2
Turn sharp right onto US 222
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Robert Fulton Highway
3
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Church Street
4
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
5
Continue on US 222
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Beaver Valley Pike
6
Turn right onto Penn Grant Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Penn Grant Road
7
Continue on Lampeter Road
4.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Lampeter Road
8
Continue on Pitney Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pitney Road
9
Turn right onto Hempstead Road
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Hempstead Road
10
Turn right onto Greenfield Road
396 ft
·
7 sec
·
Greenfield Road
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 30 West
12
Merge onto US 30
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 30
13
Take the exit onto US 222
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 222
Toward PA 501, PA 272 North
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 222
Toward PA 501
15
Turn right onto PA 501
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Lititz Pike
16
Continue on PA 501
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broad Street
17
Continue on PA 501
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Furnace Hills Pike
18
Continue on PA 501
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Furnace Hill Pike
19
Continue on PA 501
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Stiegel Pike
20
Continue on PA 501
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
South College Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
22
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Lancaster Avenue
23
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Lancaster Avenue
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
25
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
William Penn Highway
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Four Point Road
28
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
PA 183
29
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
30
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
31
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
32
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
33
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
34
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
36
Merge onto I 81
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 81
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
38
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
39
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
41
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
42
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the drive's duration of just over 3 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and potential for an unplanned stop. With only one stop recommended, you won't feel rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 59.6-mile stretch on I 81, as services might be less frequent. Having a flexible schedule means you can easily adjust if you encounter any unexpected delays or decide to take a brief detour.
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 71.4 miles from Bethel, PA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 31 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
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 Bethel, 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 Bethel, PA
This is one driving day of about 142.9 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Bethel, 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 I 81 for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.4 miles from Bethel, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 142.3 — 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
|
US 222 / Robert Fulton Highway
Turn sharp right onto US 222 / Robert Fulton Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
23.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 222
Take the exit onto US 222 toward PA 501, PA 272 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 501, PA 272 North
7
54.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
7
142.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
$23.69 one way
$47.38 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.95 | $51.89 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.71 | $55.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.55 | $63.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.00 | $6.86 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.50 | $5.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
South Lebanon, PA
71 mi in
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
5 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
3h 11m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 49.3
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 53% of it on highways like I 81. You'll encounter stretches on PA 183 and Beaver Valley Pike as well, adding some variation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll drive is 59.6 miles on I 81, so be prepared for a segment of consistent highway travel. Overall, the drive progresses through different types of roadways, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more local road experiences.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near US 222 / Robert Fulton Highway.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 142.9 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 (US 222 / Robert Fulton Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.2 miles (US 222): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3h 11m. Total distance: 142.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 222 / Robert Fulton Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 23.2 miles (US 222): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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