Traveling from Irwin to Scranton covers 270.5 miles across the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. You should plan for about 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable single-day trip for most drivers. The route utilizes a combination of the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and the William Penn Highway. Expect to budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the entire trip stays within Pennsylvania, you will experience a consistent regional feel while transitioning between these two distinct areas. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path that avoids the need for an overnight stay.
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
135.3 miles from Irwin, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m 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
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
6 mi
6m
Lincoln Highway
5.9 mi
11m
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 Irwin, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
202 ft·18 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Lombard Street
285 ft·19 sec·Lombard Street
3
Turn left onto US 30
5.9 mi·11 min·Lincoln Highway
4
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
6.0 mi·6 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
6
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
11
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
13
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
14
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.
15
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
16
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
19
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
21
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 26 minute drive, aim to depart early in the morning to beat potential traffic clusters. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch and refuel effectively within your $45 budget. Because the longest stretch is 99.3 miles, try to time your pit stop to coincide with the end of that section to keep your energy levels consistent. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the relatively short duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating off the main Keystone Shortway, as service availability can fluctuate once you move onto the secondary highways.
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 135.3 miles from Irwin, PA, or about 2h 52m 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 60 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.3 miles or 2h 52m 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 26m
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 Irwin, 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 Irwin, PA
This is one driving day of about 270.5 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Irwin, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 270.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.9 mi into trip|~20m 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
78.4 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 53m 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
270.4 mi into trip|~5h 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
$44.85 one way
$89.69 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$49.12
$98.23
premium
$4.93
$52.46
$104.92
diesel
$5.61
$59.72
$119.45
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(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
$45
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.1
1
$28.40
$12.98
Efficient EV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
EV Truck/SUV
108.2
1
$37.87
$17.31
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Irwin, PA
Morning
in Irwin on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
8:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph3% chanceLive 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
18 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 26m 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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 46.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a mixed profile that balances long interstate hauls with more varied road types. With a highway share of 33%, you will spend a notable portion of your time on smaller roads rather than just cruising on massive interstates. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which provides a steady rhythm before the terrain shifts. The transition between the William Penn Highway and I-99 requires you to adjust to changing road conditions throughout the 270.5-mile journey. Prepare for a dynamic experience that keeps you attentive behind the wheel as the infrastructure transitions between faster highway segments and slower local connectors.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 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 12.9 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 16 significant decision points across 270.5 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 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 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.
On the drive from Irwin, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
77.9 mi in|~1h 47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 270.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m 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.
Expect about $0.42 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.
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 12.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.3 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
