Scranton to McConnellsburg is 191 miles and takes about 3 hours 50 minutes via American Legion Memorial Highway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region from Scranton to McConnellsburg. Expect a drive with a significant number of turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a straight highway shot. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is well-suited for a straightforward journey that doesn't require 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
95.5 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
131.1 mi
2h 34m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
46.4 mi
51m
Great Cove Road
8.5 mi
13m
Harrisburg Pike
1 mi
2m
George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
River Street
0.9 mi
1m
North 2nd Street
0.4 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 131.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and McConnellsburg, 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
118 mi·2 hr 19 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 81
0.9 mi·1 min·George N. Wade Memorial Bridge
7
Continue on I 81
13 mi·15 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 52Toward US 11: New Kingstown, MiddlesexUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft·7 sec
Toward US 11 SouthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 11
1.0 mi·2 min·Harrisburg Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 76, PATP
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward I 76 West: PittsburghUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 76; PATP
46 mi·51 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount UnionUse the slight right lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 522
8.5 mi·13 min·Great Cove Road
16
Continue on US 522
0.4 mi·1 min·North 2nd Street
17
Turn left onto PA 16
37 ft·1 sec·Lincoln Way East
18
Arrive at destination
PA 16
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 50 minute estimated drive time, starting in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach McConnellsburg comfortably. While the drive is under 4 hours, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 130 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Great Cove Road, as local stretches can sometimes have fewer services. This route's flexibility means you can depart at your leisure, but planning for potential local road conditions is always wise.
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 95.5 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.1 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McConnellsburg, 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 191 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 American Legion Memorial Highway for about 131.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 181.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
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 52
Toward US 11: New Kingstown, Middlesex
8
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 11 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 11 South
7
135 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 West: Pittsburgh
7
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount Union
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 US 522: McConnellsburg, Mount Union
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.67 one way
$63.33 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$34.68
$69.36
premium
$4.93
$37.04
$74.08
diesel
$5.61
$42.17
$84.34
Estimated Tolls: $6.03
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(46.4 mi)$6.03
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
$32
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.17
Efficient EV
47.8
0
$16.71
$7.64
EV Truck/SUV
76.4
0
$26.74
$12.22
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 20, 2026
Origin
City of Scranton, PA
Late night
in City of Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
31°F
Scattered Snow Showers
W 3 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 2:25AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 2:25AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
McConnellsburg, PA
Late night
in McConnellsburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
14 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
3h 50m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 138.3
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 98.8
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 turn-heavy local drive, with only 24% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a varied road personality, transitioning from the American Legion Memorial Highway to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and finally Great Cove Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 131.1 miles on the American Legion Memorial Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and road type as you navigate through local landscapes.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.1 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.3 miles in near I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 191 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 1.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles: 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 McConnellsburg, PA, road signs point toward Middlesex and Patp.
Middlesex
133.3 mi in|~2h 38m
Patp
134.6 mi in|~2h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 191 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.1 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.03 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.
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 McConnellsburg, 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 1.3 miles (I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument and Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at McConnellsburg, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
