Spanning 342.2 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Lake City to Scranton takes approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes of active driving time. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel. You should budget about $57 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Navigating through the Northeast region of the state requires your full attention, as the path avoids high-speed highways entirely. Whether you are heading east for business or a change of scenery, this is a straightforward trek that avoids the congestion of typical commuter corridors.
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
171.7 miles from Lake City, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
240.3 mi
4h 19m
I 79
48.7 mi
52m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Route 6N
8.5 mi
11m
Meadville Road
6.8 mi
10m
Elk Park Road
1.5 mi
3m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Meadville Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 240.3 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,099 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,466
Quietest
2 AM
~186 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Lake Street
2
Continue on Elk Park Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Elk Park Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
0.9 mi·1 min·West Ridge Road
4
Turn slight right
331 ft·13 sec
Toward PA 18 South
5
Turn straight onto PA 18
2.1 mi·2 min·Meadville Road
6
Continue on PA 18
0.1 mi·11 sec·Meadville Road
7
Continue on PA 18
4.0 mi·6 min·Meadville Road
8
Continue on PA 18
0.9 mi·1 min·Meadville Street
9
Continue on PA 18
0.6 mi·1 min·Meadville Road
10
Turn left onto US 6N
8.5 mi·11 min·Route 6N
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
12
Merge onto I 79
49 mi·52 min·I 79
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
14
Merge onto I 80
240 mi·4 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
16
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 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
Planning for this trip requires a clear strategy, as the nature of local roads can make the 5-hour and 27-minute duration feel longer than a standard highway drive. With only one recommended stop, you should pace yourself carefully to avoid fatigue on these technical segments. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially since local roads often lack the high-intensity lighting found on major interstates. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $57 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency on winding, non-highway terrain. Since this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your navigation system is updated before you leave to help manage the frequent transitions between Elk Park Road, West Ridge Road, and PA 18 South.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.7 miles from Lake City, PA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.3 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 76 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.7 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
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 Lake City, 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 Lake City, PA
This is one driving day of about 343.4 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Lake City, 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 240.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 343.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|US 20 / West Ridge Road
At end of road, turn left onto US 20 / West Ridge Road
Navigation decision point
4
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 80 East: Clarion
5
309 mi into trip|~5h 43m 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
4
342.1 mi into trip|~6h 24m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
343.2 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
$60.73 one way
$121.46 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$66.52
$133.03
premium
$5.24
$70.90
$141.79
diesel
$5.35
$72.33
$144.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103
1
$36.06
$16.48
Efficient EV
85.9
0
$30.05
$13.74
EV Truck/SUV
137.4
1
$48.08
$21.98
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Lake City, PA
Afternoon
in Lake City on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
NE 2 mph0% 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
5 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
6h 27m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands consistent engagement behind the wheel. You will navigate primarily via Elk Park Road, West Ridge Road, and PA 18 South, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. Because you are avoiding major thoroughfares, the road personality is defined by winding local paths rather than the monotonous rhythm of an interstate. This profile makes for a technical driving experience that keeps you active throughout the 342.2-mile journey. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace as you transition between these smaller roadways across the state.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 20 / West Ridge Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 27m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 20 / West Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 68.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 309 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 343.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 20 / West Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 68.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 309 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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.
