Origin
Forest Hills, PA
Late night in Forest Hills on Tuesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest Hills, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
276.6 mi
445 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest Hills, PA
Vladimir Srajber
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Forest Hills, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 276.6 miles and takes about 5h 37m via Keystone Shortway, William Penn Highway, and I 99, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. It's a practical drive that balances highway speeds with some more local road sections, making it a straightforward journey for most travelers. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get between these two points in Pennsylvania without extended detours.
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
138.3 miles from Forest Hills, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 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 |
| Admiral Peary Highway | 13.7 mi | 19m |
| Penn-Lincoln Parkway East | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Ardmore Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 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 Forest Hills, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ardmore Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the exit onto US 30
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 30
Toward I 376, US 22, US 30 West: Pittsburgh, Monroeville
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 376 East, US 22 East: Monroeville
4
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 376 East, US 22 East: Monroeville
5
Merge onto I 376; US 22
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 22
45 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 22
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 22
17 mi
·
19 min
·
William Penn Highway
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
11
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi
·
44 min
·
I 99; US 220
12
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.
13
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
14
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Keystone Shortway
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
17
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
19
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under 6 hours, this trip is easily doable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Forest Hills earlier in the morning to maximize daylight and potentially avoid afternoon traffic. While there's only one recommended stop, plan for additional brief breaks as needed, especially during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly when transitioning between the various main roads, as services might be less frequent on certain segments.
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 138.3 miles from Forest Hills, PA, or about 3h 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 61 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 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 36m
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 Forest Hills, 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 Forest Hills, PA
This is one driving day of about 276.6 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Forest Hills, 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
138 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Forest Hills, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 276.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 376 East, US 22 East: Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 376 East, US 22 East: Monroeville
6
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
126.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
142.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m 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
276.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m 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
$45.86 one way
$91.71 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $50.22 | $100.45 |
| premium | $4.93 | $53.64 | $107.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.07 | $122.14 |
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: 96.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83 | 1 | $29.04 | $13.28 |
| Efficient EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.20 | $11.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.6 | 1 | $38.72 | $17.70 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Late night in City of Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
4 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 37m 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 57.2
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 57.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 35% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of the Keystone Shortway and I 99, which provide faster travel, but also sections of the William Penn Highway that may feel more like a traditional two-lane road. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. Expect the road character to shift as you progress, moving from potentially faster highway driving to more varied terrain.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 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 1.6 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 276.6 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 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): 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.
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 Forest Hills, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
84 mi in
|
~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 276.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m 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: at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.3 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From City of Scranton, PA
More trips to City of Scranton, PA
Explore more options from Forest Hills, PA or browse trips ending in City of Scranton, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.