Bradford Woods to Scranton is 320 miles and takes about 5h 55m via I-79 and I-81, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from one end to the other. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making it a more scenic, albeit slower, option than a pure interstate drive. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is ideal if you want to see more of the state at a relaxed pace without needing an overnight stop.
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
160 miles from Bradford Woods, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
239.8 mi
4h 18m
I 79
42.5 mi
46m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Wexford Run Road
1.3 mi
3m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Wexford Bayne Road
0.9 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Bradford Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 239.8 mi, about 4h 18m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,496
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
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 Bradford Woods, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Bradford Road
62 ft·5 sec·Bradford Road
2
Turn left onto Wexford Run Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Wexford Run Road
3
Turn right onto PA 910; Orange Belt
0.9 mi·1 min·Wexford Bayne Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 79: ErieUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 79
42 mi·46 min·I 79
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
7
Merge onto I 80
240 mi·4 hr 18 min·Keystone Shortway
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
9
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
11
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the morning to make the most of the daylight for this 5h 55m drive. While it's possible in one day, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace or want to explore along the way. The longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway is nearly 240 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you embark on that segment. Given the majority of the route is on surface roads, be mindful of local speed limits and potential traffic in smaller towns. Your estimated fuel cost is around $53.
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 160 miles from Bradford Woods, PA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.8 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 70 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160 miles or 2h 55m 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 46m
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 Woods, 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 Woods, PA
This is one driving day of about 320 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Bradford Woods, 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 239.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 319.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road
Turn right onto PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 79: Erie
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 79: Erie
5
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in|I 79
Merge onto I 79
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
285.5 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
319.8 mi into trip|~5h 54m 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
$55.89 one way
$111.77 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$61.19
$122.38
premium
$5.20
$65.46
$130.92
diesel
$6.28
$79.07
$158.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96
1
$33.60
$15.36
Efficient EV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
EV Truck/SUV
128
1
$44.80
$20.48
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 23, 2026
Origin
Bradford Woods, PA
Late night
in Bradford Woods on Saturday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 23 at 2:04PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 23 at 1:38PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Late night
in City of Scranton on Saturday
Local time
4:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
N 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 23 at 2:04PM EDT until October 24 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 23 at 1:38PM EDT until October 24 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
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
5h 55m 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 predominantly on surface roads, with only 23% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 239.8 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to other main roads like I-79 and I-81. Expect a more rural cruising feel for most of the trip, with fewer exits and a different pace compared to a full interstate experience. The highway segments will offer a chance to cover ground more quickly before you return to local roads.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 239.8 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 320 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,223 ft561 ft
Total Climb
1,935 ft
Total Descent
2,409 ft
Highest Point
2,223 ft
~137.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,661 ft
Notable High Points
2,223 ft at ~137.1 miles+573 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 320 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (23%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 239.8 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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.
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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (PA 910; Orange Belt / Wexford Bayne Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles (I 79): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.
