Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
125.6 mi
202 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
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
Lima, PA
Enzo Sebastian
Scranton, PA to Lima, PA is 125.6 miles and takes about 2h 28m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Mid-County Expressway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a highway-focused drive that will take you across Pennsylvania's Northeast region to its Northeast region. With no planned stops and a relatively short duration, this route is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this trip if you prioritize speed and directness over leisurely exploration, as the majority of your journey will be on major roadways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.8 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 95 mi | 1h 44m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| Media Bypass | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| North Middletown Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| PA 315 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Lima, PA.
Start on Cedar Avenue
Continue on Cedar Avenue
Turn left onto River Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Take the exit
Continue on PA 315
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476; PATP
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP
Continue on I 476
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 1
Continue on US 1
Take the exit
Turn right onto PA 352
Turn left onto Bonsai Drive
Continue on Bonsai Drive
Turn right onto PA 352
Turn slight right
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 28m estimated drive time and a fuel cost around $21, this trip is easily achievable in a single day. Departing in the morning will give you ample daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion as you approach your destination. Since this is a highway-focused route with only 125.6 miles, you won't need extensive stops. However, it's always wise to take a break at least once during the 95-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on turnpikes.
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.
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 62.8 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lima, 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 125.6 miles and 2h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62.8 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95 miles.
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 10.1 and 124.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 1: Lima, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$20.82 one way
$41.65 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $22.81 | $45.61 |
| premium | $4.93 | $24.36 | $48.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $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: 43.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.19 | $6.03 |
| Efficient EV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.58 | $8.04 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Lima on Sunday
Local time
9:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
44°F
Northampton, PA
63 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.
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This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 87% of the drive utilizing major expressways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including a continuous stretch of 95 miles. Expect a consistent driving pace for most of the journey, characterized by the efficiency of limited-access highways. The road maintains a highway profile throughout, making it a straightforward commute rather than a winding scenic tour. This means fewer turns and more predictable travel times.
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.
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 16 significant decision points across 125.6 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between City of Scranton, PA and Lima, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Allentown.
Patp
Allentown
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 125.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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