Spanning 206.3 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from King to Scranton is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 53 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route connects two points within the Northeast region, keeping you within familiar territory for the duration of the ride. Since it is designed for a single day of travel, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal preferences rather than complex logistics.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.1 miles from King, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
70.5 mi
1h 18m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
River Street
1 mi
1m
William Penn Road
0.7 mi
1m
Dunnings Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Sproul Mountain Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between King, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Hickory Lane
213 ft·12 sec·Hickory Lane
2
Turn right onto William Penn Road
0.7 mi·1 min·William Penn Road
3
Continue on SR 3013
0.4 mi·38 sec·Dunnings Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 220 Business
293 ft·4 sec·Sproul Mountain Road
5
Continue on US 220 Business
0.2 mi·24 sec·Sproul Mountain Road
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
54 mi·58 min·I 99; US 220
8
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.
9
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
10
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
13
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
15
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, aim to hit the road early to maximize your day in Scranton while avoiding peak travel congestion. Since the entire trip is slated for a single day, you have the freedom to pace your journey as you see fit, though you should factor in at least one planned stop to stretch your legs. Keep your fuel budget of $34 in mind and monitor your tank during that significant 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to ensure you don't run low between service areas. Because this route involves multiple major interstates, keep a close eye on your GPS for any shifting traffic patterns as you switch from the Keystone Shortway to I-99 and I-81. This flexibility allows you to easily adjust your schedule based on your personal pace.
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 103.1 miles from King, PA, or about 1h 55m 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.1 miles or 1h 55m 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 6m
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 King, 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 King, PA
This is one driving day of about 206.3 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from King, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 56 and 206.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
56 mi into trip|~1h 1m 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
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 6m 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
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
5
171.8 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
206.1 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
$34.20 one way
$68.40 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$37.46
$74.92
premium
$4.93
$40.01
$80.02
diesel
$5.61
$45.55
$91.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.9
0
$21.66
$9.90
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
EV Truck/SUV
82.5
1
$28.88
$13.20
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 13, 2026
Origin
King, PA
Afternoon
in King on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 8 to 18 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:13AM 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
30 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
3h 53m 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.
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?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 206.3-mile path, which relies on a 50% highway share to keep you moving efficiently. You will utilize the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and I-81 throughout the journey, providing a blend of varied road types rather than a singular, monotonous interstate grind. Your longest uninterrupted stint behind the wheel will be a 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, which offers a chance to settle into a steady rhythm. The road profile is categorized as a mixed drive, so be prepared for the transition between these primary transit arteries. By balancing these fast-paced stretches with regional connections, the route keeps the drive engaging from start to finish.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
17 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?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 56 miles in near I 99; US 220; US 322.
Driving Effort6/10
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 206.3 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 56 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,609 ft497 ft
Total Climb
2,343 ft
Total Descent
2,942 ft
Highest Point
1,609 ft
~103.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,112 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 206.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m 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 56 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
