Traversing Pennsylvania from Scranton to Washington covers 311.2 miles of local terrain. Expect to spend approximately 6 hours and 18 minutes behind the wheel for this journey across the Northeast. Because this route avoids major interstates entirely, it functions best as a single-day commitment for those who prefer local roads over high-speed travel. Budget around $52 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since you are staying within the Northeast region for the duration of the trip, you will experience consistent regional landscapes while navigating away from the Scranton area toward the western side of the state.
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
155.6 miles from City of Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
98.5 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
50.7 mi
1h 6m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
38.2 mi
52m
I 99
33.8 mi
36m
American Legion Memorial Highway
32.7 mi
39m
Jacksonville Road
24.2 mi
28m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.2 mi
13m
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 Washington, 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 151BToward 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 161Toward 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
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward PA 66: Greensburg, DelmontUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
417 ft·16 sec
Toward PA 66 South: GreensburgUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto PA 66
0.9 mi·1 min·State Route 66
Toward PA 66 South: GreensburgUse the left lane.
19
Continue on PA Tpke 66
12 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 0BToward I 70, I 76, PATP: New Stanton
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Toward I 70 West: New Stanton
22
Continue on I 70
38 mi·52 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·23 sec
Toward PA 136
24
Turn left onto Lakeview Drive
515 ft·10 sec·Lakeview Drive
25
Turn left onto PA 136
1.5 mi·3 min·East Beau Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Main Street
27
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
23 ft·0 sec·East Walnut Street
28
Arrive at destination
East Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 18 minute duration, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak local traffic and ensure you arrive in Washington before dark. Since this route is entirely local, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $52 budget in mind. Stay alert for the frequent turns and intersections inherent to the route's design, as the lack of highway miles means you will encounter more stop-and-go conditions. Prioritize flexibility in your schedule, as local roads can be unpredictable compared to major thoroughfares. Before you head out, double-check your navigation settings to ensure you stay on the intended path along the American Legion Memorial Highway.
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 155.6 miles from City of Scranton, PA, or about 2h 57m 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 68 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.6 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, 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 311.2 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.2 and 257.2 — 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...
6
157.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...
7
256.9 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont
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 PA 66: Greensburg, Delmont
8
257.1 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
7
257.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|PA 66 / State Route 66
Merge onto PA 66 / State Route 66 toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward PA 66 South: Greensburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.59 one way
$103.19 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$56.51
$113.01
premium
$4.93
$60.35
$120.71
diesel
$5.61
$68.71
$137.42
Estimated Tolls: $0.85
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.2 mi)$0.85
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
$52
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
EV Truck/SUV
124.5
1
$43.57
$19.92
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington, PA
Morning
in Washington on Sunday
Local time
9:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
6h 18m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 214.6
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 279
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 214.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 311.2 miles navigating surface roads like Cedar Avenue, River Street, and the American Legion Memorial Highway. This path lacks the monotony of a long, straight stretch, offering a technical experience that requires frequent adjustments. You will find yourself constantly engaged with the road layout as you transition through various local corridors. It is an ideal choice if you prioritize backroad exploration over the speed and efficiency of traditional highway systems.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 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?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 311.2 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 157.7 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.9 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.
Between City of Scranton, PA and Washington, PA, road signs point toward Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Delmont and Patp: New Stanton.
Altoona
157.7 mi in|~2h 59m|via I 99; US 220
Hollidaysburg
191.5 mi in|~3h 36m
Delmont
256.9 mi in|~5h 4m
Patp: New Stanton
270.2 mi in|~5h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 311.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m 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.
Expect about $0.85 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Washington, 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 157.7 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.9 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, Fort Necessity National Battlefield 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 Washington, PA before the return drive.
