Bradford, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 245.9 miles and takes about 4h 49m via Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. For the most part, you'll be on major expressways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion, though you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
122.9 miles from Bradford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~652 veh/hr typical
· worst 883
Quietest
2 AM
~43 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Bradford, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on US 219
9.7 mi·10 min·US 219
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
182 mi·3 hr 31 min·Southern Tier Expressway
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
50 mi·58 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 6 BUS
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
8
Continue on US 11
2.9 mi·4 min·North Scranton Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 11; PA 307
0.2 mi·36 sec·Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Penn Avenue
Use the right lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
12
Turn right onto CR 3023
0.1 mi·10 sec·Cedar Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 49-minute drive, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any potential evening traffic. Since it's a manageable distance, you can easily complete it in one day, but if you'd like to add a stop, plan it for around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer stretches, as service areas can be spaced out on interstates. The $41 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, so ensure you're comfortable with that cost before setting out.
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 122.9 miles from Bradford, PA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 181.6 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Bradford, 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 Bradford, PA
This is one driving day of about 245.9 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Bradford, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 181.6 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 191.6 and 245.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
191.6 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
6
241.4 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
7
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 42m in|US 6 BUS
Merge onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
241.9 mi into trip|~4h 42m in|US 6 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
245.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|Penn Avenue
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.27 one way
$86.55 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$47.32
$94.64
premium
$5.23
$50.59
$101.19
diesel
$6.18
$59.82
$119.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.8
0
$25.82
$11.80
Efficient EV
61.5
0
$21.52
$9.84
EV Truck/SUV
98.4
1
$34.43
$15.74
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bradford, PA
Morning
in Bradford on Sunday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Slight Chance Very Light Rain then Partly Sunny
N 7 to 12 mph16% 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
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:14 AM
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
38°F
Waverly, NY
123 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
4 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
4h 49m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the route on expressways. You'll experience a long stretch of 181.6 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway before transitioning to I-81. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal surface roads, indicating a route designed for efficient travel between these two points. The high highway share means you'll encounter a steady flow of traffic and a consistent speed limit for most of the trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 181.6 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 191.6 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 245.9 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: at 191.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.8 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 245.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 181.6 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.8 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
