This 278.9-mile journey from East Pittsburgh, PA, to Scranton, PA, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 44 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost around $46 and a single recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. The drive primarily uses local roads, indicated by a 0% highway share, suggesting a more engaging, turn-heavy experience rather than a swift interstate cruise. Given its manageable duration and the local road profile, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day without feeling overly rushed. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region.
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
137.2 miles from East Pittsburgh, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
62.4 mi
1h 27m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Monroeville Road
1.5 mi
2m
Monroeville Boulevard
1.5 mi
3m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Pittsburgh, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on US 30
31 ft·2 sec·Lincoln Highway
2
Turn right
134 ft·14 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto Grandview Avenue
208 ft·11 sec·Grandview Avenue
4
Turn left onto Bessemer Avenue
294 ft·13 sec·Bessemer Avenue
5
Turn left onto Linden Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Linden Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto Beech Avenue
316 ft·18 sec·Beech Avenue
7
At end of road, turn left onto Tri-Boro Expressway
0.9 mi·1 min·Tri-Boro Expressway
8
Turn left onto Monroeville Avenue
385 ft·11 sec·Monroeville Avenue
9
Turn slight right onto Lynn Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·Lynn Avenue
10
Continue on Monroeville Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Monroeville Road
11
Continue on Monroeville Boulevard
1.5 mi·3 min·Monroeville Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Stroschein Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Stroschein Road
13
Turn right onto US 22 Business
46 mi·1 hr 7 min·William Penn Highway
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
19
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.
20
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
21
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
24
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
26
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this route's 4-hour 44-minute estimated duration and local road profile, consider an early morning departure from East Pittsburgh to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $46, you have flexibility. Plan your one stop strategically for a meal or a brief break before continuing. Pay attention to local traffic patterns, as a turn-heavy drive can be more susceptible to delays, especially during peak hours. Since this is a single-day trip, being mindful of your fuel level is key, as you won't have the convenience of highway service areas.
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 137.2 miles from East Pittsburgh, PA, or about 3h 1m 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 3h 1m 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 37m
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 Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA
This is one driving day of about 274.3 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from East Pittsburgh, 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.2 and 274.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
124 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
128 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
140.3 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
274.1 mi into trip|~5h 36m 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
$45.48 one way
$90.95 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$49.81
$99.61
premium
$4.93
$53.20
$106.39
diesel
$5.61
$60.56
$121.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.17
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$24.00
$10.97
EV Truck/SUV
109.7
1
$38.40
$17.56
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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
East Pittsburgh, PA
Morning
in East Pittsburgh on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 37m 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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 56.8
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 56.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with no highway segments contributing to the overall mileage. The primary roads you'll navigate include Grandview Avenue, Bessemer Avenue, and Linden Avenue. Since there's no highway share, the entire 278.9 miles will likely involve navigating city streets and local thoroughfares, potentially offering a more intimate look at the areas you pass through. Without any long, uninterrupted stretches, you'll be actively involved in the driving, making frequent adjustments as you progress toward Scranton.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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?
8/10
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 82.2 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 274.3 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 82.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
On the drive from East Pittsburgh, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
81.7 mi in|~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 274.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m 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 82.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 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.
