Hamburg, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 86.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m via I 81 and Centre Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that is mostly on highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. With a duration under two hours and a low fuel cost, this is a very manageable day trip or a quick leg of a longer journey. Consider this route for its efficiency if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Hamburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
59.6 mi
1h 10m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Pottsville Pike
2.4 mi
3m
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
1 mi
1m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hamburg, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Primrose Alley
89 ft·8 sec·Primrose Alley
2
Turn right onto State Street
219 ft·8 sec·State Street
3
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 4th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
5
Merge onto I 78; US 22
0.5 mi·32 sec·William Penn Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: PottsvilleUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 29Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
8
Merge onto PA 61
2.4 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
11
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
12
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
13
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
14
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
16
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
18
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of around 1 hour and 46 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart from Hamburg, PA. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of any potential local traffic. Since it's a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Scranton, though the estimated $14 fuel cost suggests you won't need a major refill. The longest stretch without a likely exit is nearly 60 miles on I 81, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration on the highway before you depart.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.2 miles from Hamburg, PA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
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 Hamburg, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hamburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 86.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Hamburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 59.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|State Street
Turn right onto State Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 West, US 22 West: Harrisburg
7
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 29
Toward PA 61 North: Pottsville
7
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
$14.32 one way
$28.65 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.69
$31.38
premium
$4.93
$16.76
$33.51
diesel
$5.61
$19.08
$38.15
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)$0.74
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
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.07
$4.15
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.56
$3.46
EV Truck/SUV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Hamburg, PA
Morning
in Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 2 to 14 mph3% chanceLive 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
23 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
1h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 14.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 81, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.6 miles. The journey is characterized by its speed and directness, typical of an interstate experience. While the primary roads are efficient, the landscape transitions as you move north. Be prepared for consistent highway driving for the majority of this trip.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Centre Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near State Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.4 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 86.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre Turnpike. 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (State Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Scranton, PA before heading back.
