Elkland, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 150 miles and takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes via Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region, offering a straightforward, highway-focused journey. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained expressways, making it an efficient trip for getting from point A to point B. Consider this route when you need a direct connection between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
74.9 miles from Elkland, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Elkland, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 49
0.4 mi·37 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn straight onto PA 49
2.9 mi·4 min·Route 49
3
Turn left onto Lakeview Drive
6.5 mi·10 min·Lakeview Drive
4
Continue on Bliss Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·Bliss Road
5
Turn right onto CR 115
0.2 mi·26 sec·County Route 115
6
Continue on PA 287
3.1 mi·5 min·Main Street
7
Turn left onto PA 328
13 mi·19 min·PA 328
8
At end of road, turn left onto PA 549
178 ft·3 sec·PA 549
9
Continue on PA 328
0.4 mi·32 sec·Hammond Creek Road
10
Continue on NY 328
2.8 mi·4 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto NY 328
128 ft·2 sec·NY 328
12
Continue on NY 328
3.4 mi·5 min·NY 328
13
Continue on NY 14
2.5 mi·3 min·Clemens Center Parkway
14
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·Pennsylvania Avenue
15
Turn straight onto Sly Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·Sly Street
16
Continue on Madison Avenue
460 ft·11 sec·Madison Avenue
17
Turn right onto NY 352
0.8 mi·1 min·East Water Street
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
19
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
59 mi·1 hr 9 min·Southern Tier Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
50 mi·58 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto US 6 BUS
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
24
Continue on US 11
2.9 mi·4 min·North Scranton Expressway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 11; PA 307
0.2 mi·36 sec·Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Penn Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
28
Turn right onto CR 3023
0.1 mi·10 sec·Cedar Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, so you can leave whenever it suits you. The longest stretch without a major road change is 58.7 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you see signs for services. While there's only one recommended stop, the flexibility of a shorter drive means you can easily pull over if you need a break or a quick snack. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, so topping up before you hit the road is a good idea.
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 74.9 miles from Elkland, PA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 33 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 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 39m
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 Elkland, 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 Elkland, PA
This is one driving day of about 149.9 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Elkland, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 58.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 95.6 and 149.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
95.6 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
6
145.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
7
145.7 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|US 6 BUS
Merge onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
145.9 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|US 6 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
149.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|Penn Avenue
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.85 one way
$49.70 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$27.22
$54.44
premium
$4.93
$29.07
$58.14
diesel
$5.61
$33.10
$66.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.74
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$20.99
$9.59
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Elkland, PA
Afternoon
in Elkland on Sunday
Local time
12:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 3 to 14 mph3% 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
33 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
3h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 58.7 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. While the majority of the drive is on these high-speed roads, you will encounter some segments on PA 328, which may offer a slight change of pace. Overall, the character is one of efficiency and steady progress, rather than winding scenic byways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.7 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 95.6 miles in near I 81.
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 16 significant decision points across 149.9 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 95.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 149.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.7 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 95.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
