Geistown, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 226.3 miles and takes about 4h 24m via Keystone Shortway, I 99, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way across the state. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable drive for most travelers looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
113.1 miles from Geistown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
William Penn Highway
10.2 mi
11m
Portage Street
9.5 mi
13m
Scalp Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Railroad Street
1 mi
1m
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 Geistown, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Scalp Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Scalp Avenue
2
Turn left
8.8 mi·11 min
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
4
Turn right onto Railroad Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Railroad Street
5
Continue on PA 53
9.5 mi·13 min·Portage Street
6
Turn left onto PA 53
0.1 mi·14 sec·Cleveland Street
7
Turn right onto PA 53
510 ft·9 sec·Main Street
8
Turn slight left onto PA 53
0.9 mi·1 min·Evergreen Street
9
Continue on PA 53
0.9 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 22 East: AltoonaUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 22
10 mi·11 min·William Penn Highway
12
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
14
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
15
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.
16
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
17
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
20
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
22
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 24m estimated duration, departing Geistown in the morning will allow ample time to reach Scranton before evening. The drive is feasible in a single day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. There's one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, to ensure you have enough gas to reach your destination or a convenient service area.
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 113.1 miles from Geistown, PA, or about 2h 15m 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.1 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
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 Geistown, 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 Geistown, PA
This is one driving day of about 226.3 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Geistown, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.1 and 226.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
34.1 mi into trip|~46m 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
76 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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.
6
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
$36.08 one way
$72.17 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$39.93
$79.86
premium
$4.81
$42.84
$85.67
diesel
$4.80
$42.73
$85.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.9
0
$23.76
$10.86
Efficient EV
56.6
0
$19.80
$9.05
EV Truck/SUV
90.5
1
$31.68
$14.48
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Geistown, PA
Late night
in Geistown on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph54% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Late night
in City of Scranton on Monday
Local time
2:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 13 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 18 at 3:15PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:44PM EDT until July 18 at 6:45PM 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
3 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
4h 24m 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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 40% of this route is on highways, offering stretches of faster travel. You'll encounter a continuous segment of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, providing a substantial period of open road. After the highway portions, expect to transition to mixed surface roads, which may involve more local traffic and varied speed limits. Be prepared for the shift in driving conditions as you leave the high-speed corridors.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
9/10
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 34.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 226.3 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 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,889 ft528 ft
Total Climb
1,434 ft
Total Descent
2,584 ft
Highest Point
1,889 ft
Elevation Range
1,360 ft
Notable High Points
1,563 ft at ~193.9 miles+667 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 Geistown, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m 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 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
