Connecting Scranton to Chester, this 127.4-mile journey takes you across the Northeast region of Pennsylvania in about 2 hours and 31 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, you can comfortably tackle the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. You will primarily navigate via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Mid-County Expressway, and the American Legion Memorial Highway. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and accessibility between these two Pennsylvania cities.
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
63.7 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Toward I 95 South: ChesterUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 95
0.3 mi·22 sec·Delaware Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 6Toward Providence Avenue, Edgmont AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left / right lanes.
20
At end of road, turn right onto US 13
0.3 mi·47 sec·Morton Avenue
21
Turn slight right onto East 5th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·East 5th Street
22
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is a manageable two-and-a-half-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though planning for one stop is a good way to break up the monotony. Aim to depart outside of peak commuter hours to ensure you maintain your estimated travel time across the highway network. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 95-mile stretch on the Turnpike to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds. If you find your energy dipping, use that single planned stop to stretch your legs before hitting the final leg of the drive into Chester.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.7 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 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 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving City of Scranton, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 City of Scranton, PA
This is one driving day of about 127.4 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from City of Scranton, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 95 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 126.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
10.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
6
10.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
7
105.6 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
7
125.4 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South: Chester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Chester
9
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward Providence Avenue, Edgmont Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward Providence Avenue, Edgmont Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.12 one way
$42.24 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$23.13
$46.27
premium
$4.93
$24.71
$49.42
diesel
$5.61
$28.13
$56.26
Estimated Tolls: $12.35
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(95 mi)$12.35
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.2
0
$13.38
$6.12
Efficient EV
31.9
0
$11.15
$5.10
EV Truck/SUV
51
0
$17.84
$8.15
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chester, PA
Morning
in Chester on Sunday
Local time
11:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Northampton, PA
64 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
20 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
2h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 90% of your time spent on highways. You will experience a significant 95-mile uninterrupted stretch along the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which sets the pace for the majority of the drive. While the route transitions from the Northeast region toward the outskirts of the Philadelphia area, the experience remains consistent and predictable. Expect an interstate-heavy grind that favors efficiency over secondary roads. You should be prepared for a high-speed, focused driving environment that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 127.4 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 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.6 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between City of Scranton, PA and Chester, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Chester is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Chester is a suburb of the city of Philadelphia. The current population estimate is 30,409. The city is predominantly made up of African Americans, making up 79% of the population. Chester is known for poverty and high crime, as almost 40% of residents live below the poverty line.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 127.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.35 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Chester, 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 10.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.6 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chester, PA before heading back.
