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
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,145 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,582
Quietest
2 AM
~189 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 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-CToward 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, MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Downtown PittsburghUse 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: 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, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
$46.19 one way
$92.38 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$51.12
$102.24
premium
$4.81
$54.84
$109.68
diesel
$4.80
$54.70
$109.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Emsworth, PA
Evening
in Emsworth on Monday
Local time
7:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Evening
in City of Scranton on Monday
Local time
7:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 3:59PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:40PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
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
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
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,843 ft475 ft
Total Climb
2,419 ft
Total Descent
2,407 ft
Highest Point
1,843 ft
~82.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,368 ft
Notable High Points
1,657 ft at ~186.2 miles+668 ft prominence
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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
