Origin
City of Scranton, PA
Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from City of Scranton, PA to Houston, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 17m
Distance
303.5 mi
488 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 4m
★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 9m
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
Houston, PA
Trace Hudson
Trip Overview
Scranton, PA to Houston, PA is 303.5 miles and takes about 6h 17m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the state of Pennsylvania, traveling from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a route with a lot of turns, suggesting a more engaging drive than a straight interstate cruise. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this is a manageable journey for a single day of travel.
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
151.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 98.5 mi | 1h 47m |
| William Penn Highway | 61.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 99 | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 32.7 mi | 39m |
| Jacksonville Road | 24.2 mi | 28m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 19.1 mi | 26m |
| I 79 | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.4 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Houston, PA.
1
Start on Cedar Avenue
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
2
Continue on Cedar Avenue
400 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
3
Turn left onto River Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
5
Merge onto I 81
33 mi
·
39 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 151B
Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
7
Merge onto I 80
99 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Keystone Shortway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
9
Turn left onto US 220; PA 26
24 mi
·
28 min
·
Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22: Ebensburg, Hollidaysburg
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
this road
13
Continue on US 22
16 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
14
Continue on US 22
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22
19 mi
·
26 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 65
Toward PA 50: Carnegie, Heidelberg
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Carnegie
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on Jane Street
444 ft
·
17 sec
·
Jane Street
20
Continue on Mansfield Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Mansfield Boulevard
21
Continue on West Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
22
Continue on Noblestown Road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Noblestown Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
24
Merge onto I 79
14 mi
·
18 min
·
I 79
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 43
Toward PA 519: Houston, Eighty Four
Use the slight right lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto PA 519
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Hill Church Houston Road
27
Continue on PA 519
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South Main Street
28
Turn left onto PA 519
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Pike Street
29
Turn left onto 2nd Street
131 ft
·
5 sec
·
2nd Street
30
Arrive at destination
2nd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 17m estimated duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your journey in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the approximately 303.5 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing Scranton, PA. While the longest uninterrupted drive is 98.5 miles, keep an eye out for opportunities to refuel or take short breaks during the more frequent turns. The single recommended stop suggests planning for a brief pause to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.8 miles or 2h 52m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houston, 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.
+
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 303.5 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 Keystone Shortway for about 98.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 133.2 and 302.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
133.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 161
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
8
267.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
|
I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 376 West, US 22 West: Pittsburgh
8
286.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m in
Take the exit toward PA 50: Carnegie, Heidelberg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 65
Toward PA 50: Carnegie, Heidelberg
8
286.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Carnegie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Carnegie
8
302.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 14m in
Take the exit toward PA 519: Houston, Eighty Four
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 43
Toward PA 519: Houston, Eighty Four
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.32 one way
$100.63 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $55.11 | $110.22 |
| premium | $4.93 | $58.86 | $117.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.01 | $134.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.87 | $14.57 |
| Efficient EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.56 | $12.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.4 | 1 | $42.49 | $19.42 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Houston, PA
Morning in Houston on Sunday
Local time
9:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
29 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
6h 17m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 219.8
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 219.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll likely encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With only 22% of the drive on highways, most of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or stop is 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a substantial period of more consistent driving within the overall turn-heavy nature. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that demands attention to navigation and speed adjustments.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 133.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 303.5 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 133.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.5 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Houston, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Heidelberg and Carnegie.
Altoona
157.7 mi in
|
~2h 59m
|
via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
191.5 mi in
|
~3h 36m
Heidelberg
286.6 mi in
|
~5h 50m
Carnegie
286.8 mi in
|
~5h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 303.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Houston, 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 133.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.5 miles (I 376; US 22 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Houston, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
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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