Origin
Kimmel, PA
Morning in Kimmel on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kimmel, 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
5h 7m
Distance
257.5 mi
414 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kimmel, PA
cottonbro studio
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
Embarking from Kimmel, PA, and heading to the City of Scranton, PA, this 257.5-mile journey is comfortably manageable within a single day, typically taking around 5 hours and 7 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and I-81, offering a mixed driving experience that's efficient for covering ground. With a projected fuel cost of about $43, it’s an economical option for a road trip. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region, and is well-suited for a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
128.7 miles from Kimmel, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m 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 |
| Flight 93 Memorial Highway | 30.5 mi | 34m |
| William Penn Highway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Portage Street | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| New Centerville Road | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| Stoystown Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimmel, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on SR 3029
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Copper Kettle Highway
2
Turn left onto Cross Road
1.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Cross Road
3
Turn left onto PA 281
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Centerville Road
4
Continue on PA 281
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Tayman Avenue
5
Continue on PA 31; PA 281
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Patriot Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto PA 31; PA 281
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Pleasant Avenue
7
Turn right onto PA 281
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Stoystown Road
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 219 North: Johnstown
9
Merge onto US 219
31 mi
·
34 min
·
Flight 93 Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
11
Turn right onto Railroad Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
12
Continue on PA 53
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Portage Street
13
Turn left onto PA 53
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Cleveland Street
14
Turn right onto PA 53
510 ft
·
9 sec
·
Main Street
15
Turn slight left onto PA 53
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Evergreen Street
16
Continue on PA 53
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 22 East: Altoona
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto US 22
10 mi
·
11 min
·
William Penn Highway
19
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
21
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi
·
44 min
·
I 99; US 220
22
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.
23
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
24
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
Keystone Shortway
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
27
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
29
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
30
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Scranton without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically, perhaps midway through your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 99 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so ensure you're fueled up and comfortable before heading into that segment. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed, but an early start is best for a relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on longer highway portions.
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 128.7 miles from Kimmel, PA, or about 2h 41m 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 57 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 41m 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 10m
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 Kimmel, 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 Kimmel, PA
This is one driving day of about 257.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Kimmel, 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
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.7 miles from Kimmel, 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 65.3 and 257.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
107.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
111.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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
123.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
257.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m 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
$42.69 one way
$85.38 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $46.76 | $93.51 |
| premium | $4.93 | $49.94 | $99.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.85 | $113.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.04 | $12.36 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.53 | $10.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103 | 1 | $36.05 | $16.48 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
4 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
5h 7m 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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 44.4
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 17.8
View on nps.gov
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
National Battlefield
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
23 mi from route
~57 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?
This drive presents a varied road character, with 35% of it being highway driving. You'll experience stretches of highway that allow for steady progress, including a significant continuous segment of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests a blend of faster highway sections with potentially more varied road conditions as you transition between major routes. Expect the driving experience to evolve as you move from one highway to the next, offering a dynamic journey rather than a monotonous one.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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 65.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 257.5 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 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Kimmel, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
Bedford
64.8 mi in
|
~1h 28m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 257.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m 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 65.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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 Kimmel, PA or browse trips ending in City of Scranton, PA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse PA road trips.