Fairdale, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 313.2 miles and takes about 6h 20m via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way across the state. With a single recommended day, this trip offers a straightforward path between two points in PA, suitable for a focused 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
156.6 miles from Fairdale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
William Penn Highway
51 mi
1h 6m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20 mi
27m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.9 mi
13m
North Eighty Eight Road
8.9 mi
13m
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 Fairdale, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Schroyers Lane
281 ft·14 sec·Schroyers Lane
2
Turn right onto Nemacolin Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Nemacolin Road
3
Turn straight onto PA 88
0.3 mi·26 sec·Eighty Eight Road
4
Continue on PA 88
0.3 mi·25 sec·South Vine Street
5
Continue on PA 88
8.9 mi·13 min·North Eighty Eight Road
6
Continue on PA 88
0.5 mi·42 sec·Water Street
7
Turn straight onto PA 88
1.2 mi·1 min·Front Street
8
Continue on PA 88
3.0 mi·4 min·Low Hill Road
9
Turn left onto PA 88
0.9 mi·1 min·PA 88
10
Merge onto PA Tpke 43; PA 88
6.0 mi·6 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
12
Merge onto I 70
20 mi·27 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
14
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
13 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
15
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
17
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
20
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
22
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
23
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.
24
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
25
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
26
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
28
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
30
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
31
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6h 20m drive, consider leaving Fairdale, PA in the morning to maximize daylight for the 313.2-mile trip to Scranton. With only one recommended day, you can complete this route comfortably without needing an overnight stop. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, especially given the longest stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $51, and service areas can be spaced out on some segments.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.6 miles from Fairdale, PA, or about 3h 22m 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 69 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.6 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
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 Fairdale, 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 Fairdale, PA
This is one driving day of about 313.2 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Fairdale, 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 55.6 and 313 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
162.9 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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.
7
179.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
313 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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
$49.94 one way
$99.88 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$55.27
$110.53
premium
$4.81
$59.29
$118.57
diesel
$4.80
$59.14
$118.28
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.9 mi)$0.90
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(6 mi)$0.42
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94
1
$32.89
$15.03
Efficient EV
78.3
0
$27.41
$12.53
EV Truck/SUV
125.3
1
$43.85
$20.04
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Fairdale, PA
Late night
in Fairdale on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
Late night
in City of Scranton on Monday
Local time
1:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
1 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
6h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 97.2
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
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 97.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mixed highway and surface road experience. Approximately 31% of the 313.2 miles are on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering uninterrupted driving before transitioning. The profile suggests you'll move from more open highway sections to areas with more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 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 around 55.6 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 313.2 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 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.9 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,354 ft587 ft
Total Climb
2,465 ft
Total Descent
2,728 ft
Highest Point
2,354 ft
~111.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,767 ft
Notable High Points
1,445 ft at ~201.3 miles+565 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairdale, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 20m. Total distance: 313.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Expect about $1.32 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.9 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
