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Trip from City of Scranton, PA to Rutherford, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

118.4 mi

190 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 17m ★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Downtown Rutherford, PA, PA

Rutherford, PA

Haneul Trac

Trip Overview

This 118.4-mile journey from Scranton to Rutherford, Pennsylvania, is a manageable 2-hour and 27-minute drive, perfectly suited for a single day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region of PA. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including American Legion Memorial Highway, Nyes Road, and River Street, with no highway driving, suggesting a more intimate and turn-heavy experience. Given its relatively short duration and lack of major highway segments, you can comfortably complete this trip within a day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule and the pace of your travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

59.2 miles from City of Scranton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway 111.1 mi 2h 9m
Nyes Road 2.7 mi 5m
River Street 0.9 mi 1m
Creek Crossing Drive 0.8 mi 2m
Conway Road 0.5 mi 1m
North Mountain Road 0.4 mi <1m
Jonestown Road 0.4 mi 1m
South Mountain Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: American Legion Memorial Highway — 111.1 mi, about 2h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between City of Scranton, PA and Rutherford, 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

111 mi · 2 hr 9 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 72 Toward Paxtonia, Linglestown Use the slight right lane.
7

Turn left onto North Mountain Road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · North Mountain Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on South Mountain Road

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South Mountain Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Turn left onto Jonestown Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Jonestown Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10

Turn right onto Nyes Road

2.7 mi · 5 min · Nyes Road
Use the right lane.
11

Turn right onto Union Deposit Road

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Union Deposit Road
12

Turn slight left onto Conway Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Conway Road
13

Turn right onto Lyters Lane

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Lyters Lane
14

Turn left onto Atticks Lane

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Atticks Lane
15

Continue on Creek Crossing Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Creek Crossing Drive
16

Turn right onto Jefferson Street

521 ft · 28 sec · Jefferson Street
17

Turn left onto Rudy Alley

243 ft · 17 sec · Rudy Alley
18

Arrive at destination

Rudy Alley

Trip Plan

Since this trip is designed for a single day and involves no highway driving, you have a great deal of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving early can help you enjoy the local roads with less traffic. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since this is a local drive, and plan for potential fuel needs. The American Legion Memorial Highway is your longest stretch at 111.1 miles, so consider this when planning any brief breaks to stretch your legs before reaching Rutherford.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 26 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.2 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rutherford, 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 118.4 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from City of Scranton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on American Legion Memorial Highway for about 111.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Shenandoah, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shenandoah, PA

59 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

Hudson, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hazleton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from City of Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before American Legion Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tesla Supercharger

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 16.9

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–8 am

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 8.5

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15706554116

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

InCharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 16.9

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.7 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 16.9

Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Indian Echo Caverns

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 118.4

Hummelstown, Pennsylvania

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17175668131

Visit website

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 113.8 — 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
112.4 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in

Take the exit toward Paxtonia, Linglestown

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 72 Toward Paxtonia, Linglestown
5
112.8 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | North Mountain Road

Turn left onto North Mountain Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
113.4 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | Jonestown Road

Turn left onto Jonestown Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
5
113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in | Nyes Road

Turn right onto Nyes Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.63 one way

$39.26 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $21.50 $43.00
premium $4.93 $22.96 $45.92
diesel $5.61 $26.14 $52.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.5 0 $12.43 $5.68
Efficient EV 29.6 0 $10.36 $4.74
EV Truck/SUV 47.4 0 $16.58 $7.58

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

City of Scranton, PA

Late night in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

3:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 9 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:08PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Destination

Rutherford, PA

Late night in Rutherford on Sunday

Local time

3:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Shenandoah, PA

59 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

16 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 27m 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.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 93.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 118.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as evidenced by the 0% highway share. The majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads, offering a more engaged driving experience. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 111.1 miles along the American Legion Memorial Highway, providing a substantial period on a single roadway before transitioning. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be frequently adjusting your course, making it less of a monotonous highway grind and more of an exploration of the local landscape.

Only 0% 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: 111.1 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.8 miles (North Mountain Road): 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 Rutherford, PA, road signs point toward Paxtonia and Linglestown.

Paxtonia

112.4 mi in | ~2h 12m

Linglestown

112.4 mi in | ~2h 12m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 118.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.1 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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 112.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 112.8 miles (North Mountain Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rutherford, PA before heading back.

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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