East McKeesport, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 274 miles and takes about 5h 35m via Keystone Shortway and I 99, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. You'll experience a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward one-day excursion. It’s a practical route for getting from point A to point B without excessive complexity.
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
137 miles from East McKeesport, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
59.7 mi
1h 22m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Mosside Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
Broadway Boulevard
1.8 mi
2m
Northern Pike
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,120 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,611
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East McKeesport, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Yellow Belt
1.1 mi·1 min·5th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Yellow Belt
0.2 mi·20 sec·Patton Street
3
Turn right onto Avenue U
214 ft·6 sec·Avenue U
4
At end of road, turn right onto Avenue U
229 ft·11 sec·Avenue U
5
Turn left onto Watkins Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Watkins Avenue
6
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·State Street
7
Continue on PA 130
1.8 mi·2 min·Broadway Boulevard
8
Turn left onto PA 48; Orange Belt
2.7 mi·4 min·Mosside Boulevard
9
Turn straight
0.1 mi·25 sec
10
At end of road, turn right onto Northern Pike
1.7 mi·3 min·Northern Pike
11
Turn right onto US 22
43 mi·1 hr 2 min·William Penn Highway
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
14
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
16
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
19
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
20
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
22
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
24
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 35-minute drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. The 274-mile distance is manageable for a single day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. With a fuel cost around $46, it's a budget-friendly trip. Pay attention to the transition points between the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99 to ensure you're on the correct roads, especially as you move between highway and surface sections.
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 137 miles from East McKeesport, PA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 60 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East McKeesport, 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 East McKeesport, PA
This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from East McKeesport, 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 99.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 81.8 and 273.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
6
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
140 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
7
273.8 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.85 one way
$95.71 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$52.39
$104.79
premium
$5.20
$56.05
$112.10
diesel
$6.28
$67.70
$135.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Efficient EV
68.5
0
$23.98
$10.96
EV Truck/SUV
109.6
1
$38.36
$17.54
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
East McKeesport, PA
Morning
in East McKeesport on Sunday
Local time
6:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
N 1 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NE 1 to 13 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 56.7
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 56.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this 274-mile route is highway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Beyond the highway sections, expect surface road driving, which may involve more frequent intersections and slower speeds. This transition means you'll notice a change in the pace of travel as you move between high-speed cruising and more local road conditions.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 274 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 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,942 ft596 ft
Total Climb
1,817 ft
Total Descent
2,208 ft
Highest Point
1,942 ft
~39.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,346 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from East McKeesport, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 274 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 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.
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 City of Scranton, 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 81.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Scranton, PA before the return drive.
