Origin
Harrisburg, PA
Morning in Harrisburg on Sunday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Harrisburg, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
120.2 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 120.7-mile journey from Harrisburg to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward 1 hour and 57-minute drive, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like North 7th Street, Maclay Street, and North Cameron Street, with no highway driving involved. With an estimated fuel cost of $20, this trip is budget-friendly. Since it's a relatively short drive within the Northeast region of PA, you'll have plenty of flexibility for departure times and any spontaneous stops you might want to make along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Legion Memorial Highway | 116.3 mi | 2h 17m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Cameron Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North 7th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Maclay Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 116.3 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on North 7th Street
89 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 7th Street
2
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
81 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 7th Street
3
Continue on North 7th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 7th Street
4
Turn right onto Maclay Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Maclay Street
5
Turn left onto US 22
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cameron Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allentown
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 81; US 322
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
115 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
11
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
12
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 57-minute duration and 120.7-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time in Scranton, or leave mid-day to avoid peak traffic in Harrisburg. With a fuel cost of around $20, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. Since there are no designated long stretches, plan for small breaks as needed at any convenient point along the local roads. Keep an eye out for the transition between different types of local roads as you move north.
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 60.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.3 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 14m 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 59m
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 Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 120.2 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Harrisburg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on American Legion Memorial Highway for about 116.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Harrisburg, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before American Legion Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.3 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 120 — 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
|
North 7th Street
Enter roundabout onto North 7th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Carlisle, Hazleton, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 South, I 81 North, US 322 East: Car...
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 81 North, US 322 East: Hazleton, Allen...
6
4.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
120 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
$19.93 one way
$39.86 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $21.83 | $43.65 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.31 | $46.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.54 | $53.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.1 | 0 | $12.62 | $5.77 |
| Efficient EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.52 | $4.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Shenandoah, PA
60 mi in
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
21 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
2h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 24.9
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 120.7-mile route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating city streets and local thoroughfares for the full 1 hour and 57 minutes. This means you should anticipate frequent intersections, traffic lights, and changes in speed limits as you make your way north. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you'll be consistently engaged with the road, so staying alert is key to a smooth experience.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.3 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 7th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 120.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Harrisburg, PA
Full guide →Harrisburg is the capital and 4th-largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania, with a metro population of 592,000 people in 2020. Harrisburg is known as the host city of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest free indoor agriculture exposition in the United States, the largest annual outdoor sports show in North America, an auto show, which features a large static display of new and classic cars, and Motorama, a two-day event consisting of a car show, motocross racing, and remote control car racing.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 120.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.3 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 7th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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.
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.
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