Calumet, PA to Scranton, PA is 263.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m via the Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The drive is a mixed bag of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a good option for a single-day trip when you want a straightforward drive without too much complexity. You'll encounter about 39% of the route on major highways, offering a balance between speed and experiencing local terrain.
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
131.6 miles from Calumet, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m 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
34.1 mi
43m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
State Route 981
5.6 mi
10m
PA 982
3.5 mi
6m
Pizza Barn Road
2.2 mi
3m
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 Calumet, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 981
33 ft·0 sec·Calumet Road
2
Continue on PA 981
2.9 mi·5 min·State Route 981
3
Turn right onto PA 130; PA 981
0.5 mi·50 sec·Main Street
4
Turn slight left onto State Route 981
2.7 mi·4 min·State Route 981
5
Continue on PA 981
0.8 mi·1 min·Pleasant Unity Road
6
Enter roundabout onto PA 981
109 ft·2 sec·Pleasant Unity Road
7
Continue on PA 981
0.2 mi·30 sec·Pleasant Unity Road
8
Continue on PA 981
0.5 mi·1 min·Clearview Drive
9
Continue on PA 981
0.4 mi·47 sec·Technology Way
10
Turn slight right onto Mission Road
1.4 mi·3 min·Mission Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto PA 982
0.3 mi·32 sec·Eaton Road
12
Continue on PA 982
1.9 mi·3 min·Hillview Avenue
13
Continue on PA 982
0.5 mi·1 min·Latrobe Derry Road
14
Turn left onto PA 982
3.5 mi·6 min·PA 982
15
Turn right onto State Route 1025
1.3 mi·2 min·State Route 1025
16
Continue on T887
0.2 mi·25 sec·T887
17
Continue on State Route 210
0.3 mi·36 sec·State Route 210
18
Continue on Seger Road
0.3 mi·29 sec·Seger Road
19
Continue on Pizza Barn Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Pizza Barn Road
20
Turn left onto PA 217
2.1 mi·4 min·PA 217
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 22 East, US 119 North
22
Merge onto US 22; US 119
17 mi·23 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
25
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
27
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
28
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.
29
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
30
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
31
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
33
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
35
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
36
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
38
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
39
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this 5h 24m drive, leaving in the morning allows you to reach Scranton with ample time before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can decide if you want to break up the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway or push through. The estimated fuel cost is $43, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Calumet. Since the route is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility; however, be aware that highway portions may have fewer services than anticipated, so plan your fuel stops accordingly.
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 131.6 miles from Calumet, PA, or about 2h 54m 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 58 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 2h 54m 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 25m
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 Calumet, 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 Calumet, PA
This is one driving day of about 263.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Calumet, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.6 and 262.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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.
6
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
128.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
262.5 mi into trip|~5h 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
$45.97 one way
$91.93 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$50.33
$100.66
premium
$5.20
$53.84
$107.68
diesel
$6.28
$65.03
$130.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79
0
$27.64
$12.63
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
EV Truck/SUV
105.3
1
$36.85
$16.84
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 19, 2026
Origin
Calumet, PA
Afternoon
in Calumet on Friday
Local time
3:00 PM
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
Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in Scranton on Friday
Local time
3:00 PM
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 24m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 45.4
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 45.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 39% of this 263.2-mile drive on highways like the Keystone Shortway and I-99. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 99.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a good period of uninterrupted driving. Beyond the highway portions, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. This mix means you'll experience both faster-paced travel and more local road conditions.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 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?
8/10
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 70.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 263.2 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 70.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,942 ft586 ft
Total Climb
2,099 ft
Total Descent
2,357 ft
Highest Point
1,942 ft
~56.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,356 ft
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 Calumet, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Peter's Cathedral — historic church in Pennsylvania, United States
•Steamtown National Historic Site — railroad museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania
•Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel — railway station in Scranton, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 263.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m 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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.4 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scranton, PA before the return drive.
