Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from City of Scranton, PA to Sterling, PA

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

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

178.5 mi

287 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Downtown Sterling, PA, PA

Sterling, PA

Clément Proust

Trip Overview

Scranton, PA to Sterling, PA is 178.5 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Keystone Shortway, American Legion Memorial Highway, and Jacksonville Road, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a local drive with frequent turns, making it a more engaged experience than a simple highway cruise. Given its manageable length and modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a relaxed day trip where you can take your time.

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

89.2 miles from City of Scranton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 98.5 mi 1h 47m
American Legion Memorial Highway 32.7 mi 39m
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
Port Matilda Highway 10.2 mi 14m
Walton Street 3.4 mi 5m
Spring Street 3.1 mi 4m
Sarah Street 1.1 mi 1m
28th Division Highway 1 mi 1m
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 Sterling, 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 right at fork onto US 322

1.0 mi · 1 min · 28th Division Highway
Exit 62 Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
11

Continue on US 322

10 mi · 14 min · Port Matilda Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn left onto PA 504

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Presqueisle Street
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto PA 53

0.1 mi · 17 sec · South Front Street
14

Turn right onto PA 53

480 ft · 11 sec · West Maple Street
15

Continue on PA 53

3.4 mi · 5 min · Walton Street
16

Continue on PA 53

0.4 mi · 1 min · Stone Street
17

Turn right onto Kate Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · Kate Street
18

At end of road, turn left onto Elizabeth Street

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Elizabeth Street
19

Turn right onto PA 53

1.1 mi · 1 min · Sarah Street
20

Continue on PA 53

3.1 mi · 4 min · Spring Street
21

Turn right onto Sterling Avenue

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Sterling Avenue
22

Arrive at destination

Sterling Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 178.5-mile journey, consider leaving Scranton in the morning to allow for a full day of driving and potential brief stops. With a duration of just over 3.5 hours, you won't need to split the drive, offering flexibility in your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $30, and note that Jacksonville Road is one of the main thoroughfares you'll be using. The turn-heavy profile means staying alert and double-checking navigation, especially as you approach Sterling.

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 89.2 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 1h 42m 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 39 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.2 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sterling, 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 178.5 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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.

city in Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lock Haven, PA

89 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

Hazleton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Winfield, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.2 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 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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 34 and 173.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
34 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 151B Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
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...
5
133.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
157.7 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | US 322 / 28th Division Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 322 / 28th Division Highway toward US 322 West: Philipsburg

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 62 Toward US 322 West: Philipsburg
6
173.8 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in | Elizabeth Street

At end of road, turn left onto Elizabeth Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.59 one way

$59.19 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $32.41 $64.82
premium $4.93 $34.62 $69.24
diesel $5.61 $39.41 $78.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.6 0 $18.74 $8.57
Efficient EV 44.6 0 $15.62 $7.14
EV Truck/SUV 71.4 0 $24.99 $11.42

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

9:32 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 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA

Destination

Sterling, PA

Morning in Sterling on Sunday

Local time

9:32 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

32 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

3h 32m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local nature, with a highway share of 0%. You'll be navigating a series of roads rather than a single continuous highway, requiring your attention for directional changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.5 miles on the Keystone Shortway. This profile suggests a journey where you'll experience varied road conditions and a more intimate connection with the landscape as you move through local communities.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 34 miles in.

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 178.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 133.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.5 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 178.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

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

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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 34 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 133.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.5 miles (US 220; PA 26 / Jacksonville Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Sterling, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Sterling, PA

Philadelphia, PA 225.2 mi · 4h 44m Haverford, PA 215 mi · 4h 34m

More from City of Scranton, PA

Darlington, PA 311.4 mi · 5h 55m Washington, PA 311.2 mi · 6h 18m Chartiers, PA 308.9 mi · 6h 16m Collier, PA 304.4 mi · 6h 4m Buffington, PA 304.3 mi · 6h 4m Fairchance, PA 304 mi · 6h 3m

More trips to Sterling, PA

Bristol, PA 239.6 mi Croydon, PA 237.6 mi Whitman, PA 229.4 mi Upper Darby, PA 224.4 mi Bethlehem, PA 199.2 mi Erie, PA 189.3 mi
Escape planner: City of Scranton, PA Scenic drives in PA

Explore more options from City of Scranton, PA or browse trips ending in Sterling, PA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.