Etna, PA to Scranton, PA is 291.7 miles and takes about 5h 45m via Keystone Shortway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Pennsylvania, taking you across the northeastern part of the state. Expect a mixed driving experience, blending highway travel with other road types. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. This route offers a straightforward path connecting two points in 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
145.9 miles from Etna, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
180.6 mi
3h 15m
PA 28
36.7 mi
54m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Allegheny Valley Expressway
32.4 mi
40m
US 422
5.1 mi
6m
River Street
1 mi
1m
William Flinn Highway
0.5 mi
<1m
PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 180.6 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Etna, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Grant Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Grant Avenue
2
Turn right onto PA 8
0.1 mi·22 sec·Butler Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on PA 8
0.5 mi·46 sec·William Flinn Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward PA 28 North: KittanningUse the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto PA 28; Blue Belt
32 mi·40 min·Allegheny Valley Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·52 sec
Toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, Indiana
7
Merge onto US 422; PA 28
5.1 mi·6 min·US 422; PA 28
8
Continue on PA 28; PA 66
37 mi·54 min·PA 28; PA 66
9
Take the ramp onto PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi·46 sec·PA 28 Truck
10
Merge onto I 80; PA 28 Truck
181 mi·3 hr 15 min·Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
12
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
14
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
17
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
18
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Etna, PA, to maximize daylight and make the most of the 5-hour, 45-minute drive. While this route is recommended for one day, planning for a single stop is sensible. The longest stretch without significant road changes is over 180 miles, so be mindful of fuel levels, especially given the estimated $48 fuel cost. Having a rest stop or two planned along the way will break up the driving and keep you alert. Given the manageable distance, you have flexibility, but paying attention to the road transitions will enhance your journey.
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 145.9 miles from Etna, PA, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.6 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 3h 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Etna, 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 Etna, PA
This is one driving day of about 291.7 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Etna, 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 180.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 291.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 8 / Butler Street
Turn right onto PA 8 / Butler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward PA 28 North: Kittanning
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward PA 28 North: Kittanning
5
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|PA 28; Blue Belt / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge onto PA 28; Blue Belt / Allegheny Valley Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
33.5 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 422 East, PA 28 North: Kittanning, In...
7
291.1 mi into trip|~5h 43m 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
$48.36 one way
$96.72 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$52.97
$105.93
premium
$4.93
$56.57
$113.14
diesel
$5.61
$64.40
$128.81
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: 102.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.63
$14.00
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.52
$11.67
EV Truck/SUV
116.7
1
$40.84
$18.67
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 19, 2026
Origin
Etna, PA
Late night
in Etna on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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
30 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed drive profile, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll experience segments on the Keystone Shortway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 180.6 miles. The character of the drive will evolve, transitioning between faster highway sections and potentially more varied road conditions on other routes like PA 28. This means you won't be on a single type of road for the entire 5-hour, 45-minute trip. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience as you traverse the landscape.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.6 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 0.1 miles in near PA 8 / Butler Street.
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 13 significant decision points across 291.7 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: at 0.1 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (PA 28; Blue Belt / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Etna, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Scranton is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is near Wilkes-Barre, and is the seventh most populous city in the state. Today, it is perhaps best known as the setting of the hit TV show "The Office" and the birthplace of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 291.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.6 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 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 0.1 miles (PA 8 / Butler Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (PA 28; Blue Belt / Allegheny Valley Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scranton, PA before the return drive.
