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Trip from Emsworth, PA to City of Scranton, PA

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

Drive Time

5h 58m

Distance

289.7 mi

466 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 5m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 23m
8 PM
5h 51m

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

borough of Pennsylvania

Emsworth, PA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 289.7-mile journey from Emsworth, PA, to the City of Scranton, PA, will take you approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, this route offers a mixed driving experience. With a highway share of about 36%, it’s a manageable drive that can comfortably be done in a single day, though you might appreciate a brief pause. Expect a fuel cost of around $48 for this trip across Pennsylvania. As both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, you'll remain in familiar territory for the entire drive.

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

144.9 miles from Emsworth, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 99.3 mi 1h 47m
William Penn Highway 61.6 mi 1h 25m
I 99 57.2 mi 1h 4m
I 81 32.4 mi 39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East 13.8 mi 19m
Admiral Peary Highway 13.7 mi 19m
Ohio River Boulevard 6.4 mi 12m
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 Emsworth, PA and City of Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Lowry Avenue

81 ft · 9 sec · Lowry Avenue
2

Turn right onto PA 65

6.4 mi · 12 min · Ohio River Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Keep slight right at fork

328 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 279 South: Downtown Pittsburgh, Fort Pitt Bridge, Airport, Monroeville
4

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 28 sec · this road
Exit 1B-C Toward US 19, PA 65: North Shore, Ohio River Boulevard
5

Continue on I 279

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Fort Duquesne Bridge
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward Downtown, Monroeville Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward Downtown Pittsburgh Use the slight left lane.
8

Continue on Fort Pitt Boulevard

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Fort Pitt Boulevard
9

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
10

Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30

14 mi · 19 min · Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto US 22

45 mi · 1 hr 5 min · William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
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: Williamsport Use 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 260B Toward 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, 58-minute drive, starting early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 99.3 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan for a break around the midpoint or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 99.3-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is $48, so factor that into your budget.

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 144.9 miles from Emsworth, PA, or about 3h 13m 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 64 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 144.9 miles or 3h 13m 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 55m

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 Emsworth, 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 Emsworth, PA

This is one driving day of about 289.7 miles and 5h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Emsworth, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altoona, PA

145 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

Minersville, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

State College, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.9 miles from Emsworth, 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 99.3 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 289.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard

Turn right onto PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Monroeville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Downtown, Monroeville
8
7.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Downtown Pittsburgh

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Downtown Pittsburgh
7
155.7 mi into trip | ~3h 26m 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
289.5 mi into trip | ~5h 58m 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

$48.03 one way

$96.06 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $52.60 $105.20
premium $4.93 $56.18 $112.37
diesel $5.61 $63.96 $127.92

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: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.9 1 $30.42 $13.91
Efficient EV 72.4 0 $25.35 $11.59
EV Truck/SUV 115.9 1 $40.56 $18.54

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Emsworth, PA

Morning in Emsworth on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Scranton, PA

Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

6:31 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 1 to 6 mph 2% chance 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

8 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 58m 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

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 69.9
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
View on nps.gov
Flight 93 National Memorial

Flight 93 National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

26 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 69.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive is characterized as a mixed experience, with 36% of the total mileage on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I-99, offering variety in your driving conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a good opportunity to settle in. This route is not a monotonous interstate grind but rather a blend of faster highway segments and potentially more local road driving, keeping things interesting as you progress across the state.

36% 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?

10/10

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 early in the drive near PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 18 significant decision points across 289.7 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: near the start (PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Emsworth, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.

Bedford

97.1 mi in | ~2h 19m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 289.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 58m 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: near the start (PA 65 / Ohio River Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.

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

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