Castle Shannon to Scranton is 287.4 miles and takes about 5h 57m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. It's a practical, single-day trip that offers a mixed driving experience, suitable for those looking for an efficient journey across the state. You'll find the driving conditions generally straightforward, making it a manageable option for a quick transit.
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
143.7 miles from Castle Shannon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
11.6 mi
16m
Becks Run Road
2.5 mi
5m
Library Road
1.9 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
~1,145 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,582
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Castle Shannon, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
180 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto PA 88
1.9 mi·3 min·Library Road
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto PA 51; Blue Belt
0.2 mi·32 sec·Saw Mill Run Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto Blue Belt
0.6 mi·58 sec·Maytide Street
5
Turn left onto Blue Belt
0.2 mi·20 sec·Biscayne Drive
6
Continue on Blue Belt
2.5 mi·5 min·Becks Run Road
7
At end of road, turn left onto PA 837
1.2 mi·2 min·East Carson Street
8
Turn right onto Hot Metal Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Hot Metal Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto PA 885
0.1 mi·17 sec·Second Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto PA 885
197 ft·3 sec·Bates Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 376 East: MonroevilleUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
12 mi·16 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
19
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.
20
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
21
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
24
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
26
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
29
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
30
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 6-hour duration, departing in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or just before the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach that 99.3-mile segment, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. Since this is a comfortable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly based on your schedule.
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 143.7 miles from Castle Shannon, PA, or about 3h 13m 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 63 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.7 miles or 3h 13m 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 54m
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 Castle Shannon, 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 Castle Shannon, PA
This is one driving day of about 287.4 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Castle Shannon, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 286.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.1 mi into trip|~15m in|PA 885 / Second Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto PA 885 / Second Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
7.2 mi into trip|~16m in|PA 885 / Bates Street
Turn right onto PA 885 / Bates Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
7.3 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 376 East: Monroeville
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
7
153 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
286.8 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
$45.83 one way
$91.65 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$50.71
$101.43
premium
$4.81
$54.40
$108.80
diesel
$4.80
$54.27
$108.53
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: 100.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.18
$13.80
Efficient EV
71.9
0
$25.15
$11.50
EV Truck/SUV
115
1
$40.24
$18.39
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Castle Shannon, PA
Morning
in Castle Shannon on Monday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 2 to 7 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Monday
Local time
6:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke
E 0 to 3 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
7 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 57m 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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 69.4
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 69.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with about 35% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, providing a varied road experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, suggesting a period of consistent travel. As you progress, expect the character of the drive to shift between more open highway sections and potentially more local road segments, keeping you engaged behind the wheel.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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?
9/10
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 7.1 miles in near PA 885 / Second Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 287.4 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 7.1 miles (PA 885 / Second Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles (PA 885 / Bates Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,010 ft529 ft
Total Climb
2,222 ft
Total Descent
2,512 ft
Highest Point
2,010 ft
~82.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,481 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 Castle Shannon, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Allegheny County is the center of the Pittsburgh Region of Pennsylvania. It contains the city of Pittsburgh and most of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
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
•Albright Memorial Building — library in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 287.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m 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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (PA 885 / Second Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles (PA 885 / Bates Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
