Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
141.5 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Fairmount, PA
Michael Taccetta
City of Scranton, PA to Fairmount, PA is 141.5 miles and takes about 3h 12m via American Legion Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a more hands-on driving experience with frequent turns rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. It's a manageable single-day trip, making it ideal if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stay.
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
70.7 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 59.7 mi | 1h 10m |
| Chestnut Street | 9.5 mi | 14m |
| Beaver Valley Pike | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| Lititz Pike | 6.1 mi | 11m |
| Stiegel Pike | 6 mi | 6m |
| Lancaster Avenue | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| North College Street | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Skyline Drive | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Fairmount, PA.
Start on Cedar Avenue
Continue on Cedar Avenue
Turn left onto River Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn straight onto PA 61
Turn uturn onto PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Take the exit
Turn straight onto PA 183
Turn left onto PA 183
Continue on PA 183
Continue on PA 183
Turn slight right onto PA 419
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 78; US 22
Take the exit
Turn left onto PA 501
Continue on PA 501
At end of road, turn right onto PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on PA 501
Continue on US 222; PA 272
Continue on South Duke Street
Turn right onto Eshelman Mill Road
Continue on Gypsy Hill Road
Continue on Gypsy Hill Road
Turn left onto US 222; PA 741
Continue on US 222
Turn right onto US 222
Continue on US 222
Turn slight left onto Little Britain Road North
Turn slight left onto Fairmount Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 3h 12m estimated drive time and 141.5 miles, this is a solid day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to have ample daylight for navigation and any brief stops you might need. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, be mindful of your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 59.7-mile stretch on the American Legion Memorial Highway. Since this is a turn-heavy route, consider taking a short break after about 1.5 hours of driving to refresh yourself before continuing.
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.
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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairmount, PA than in the middle of the route.
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.
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 141.5 miles and 3h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 70.7 miles from City of Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 61 and 88.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Frackville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn uturn onto PA 61 / Skyline Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward PA 501: Bethel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto PA 501 / Lancaster Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$23.46 one way
$46.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $25.69 | $51.39 |
| premium | $4.93 | $27.44 | $54.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.24 | $62.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.86 | $6.79 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.81 | $9.06 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
2:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Fairmount on Sunday
Local time
2:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
70°F
South Lebanon, PA
71 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
National Historical Park
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' feel, with only a 2% highway share. You'll navigate primarily along roads like the American Legion Memorial Highway, Chestnut Street, and Beaver Valley Pike. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 59.7 miles on the American Legion Memorial Highway, so plan for frequent adjustments to your steering and speed. The character of the drive shifts as you move between these local thoroughfares, demanding your attention throughout.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 141.5 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 61 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 61.5 miles (PA 61 / Skyline Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 141.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
Fairmount, PA to City of Scranton, PAPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from City of Scranton, PA or browse trips ending in Fairmount, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.
