Traveling from Litchfield to Scranton covers 94.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 39 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to complete the journey. Because there are no mandatory stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to drive it straight through or linger at your own pace. This is a practical, efficient connection between these two Pennsylvania locations that doesn't require an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.1 miles from Litchfield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
49.8 mi
58m
Southern Tier Expressway
34.3 mi
41m
North Scranton Expressway
2.9 mi
4m
Litchfield Road
2.5 mi
6m
Sackett Creek Road
2.5 mi
8m
West River Road
0.4 mi
<1m
US 6 BUS
0.4 mi
<1m
Penn Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 49.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Litchfield, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Litchfield Road
2.5 mi·6 min·Litchfield Road
2
Continue on Sackett Creek Road
2.5 mi·8 min·Sackett Creek Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
0.4 mi·47 sec·West River Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
5
Merge onto I 86
34 mi·41 min·Southern Tier Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
50 mi·58 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 6 BUS
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton ExpresswayUse the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 6 BUS
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
10
Continue on US 11
2.9 mi·4 min·North Scranton Expressway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 11; PA 307
0.2 mi·36 sec·Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
0.3 mi·44 sec·Penn Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·Lackawanna Avenue
14
Turn right onto CR 3023
0.1 mi·10 sec·Cedar Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 39 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though starting in the morning will help you avoid fatigue on these winding local roads. Since the route involves no formal stops, plan to fuel up before you leave Litchfield to keep your $15 budget on track. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of Sackett Creek Road and West River Road can make the trip feel longer than the mileage suggests, so factor in a bit of extra time if you are not accustomed to non-highway driving. Staying focused on the frequent turns is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Scranton.
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 47.1 miles from Litchfield, PA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 21 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.1 miles or 1h 6m 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 41m
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 Litchfield, 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 Litchfield, PA
This is one driving day of about 94.2 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Litchfield, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 49.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.9 and 93.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
39.9 mi into trip|~57m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
6
89.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
7
90.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 6 BUS
Merge onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
90.2 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 6 BUS
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6 BUS toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 11 South: Scranton Expressway
6
93.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|Penn Avenue
Turn right onto Penn Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.62 one way
$31.23 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$17.10
$34.21
premium
$4.93
$18.27
$36.54
diesel
$5.61
$20.80
$41.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.3
0
$9.89
$4.52
Efficient EV
23.6
0
$8.24
$3.77
EV Truck/SUV
37.7
0
$13.19
$6.03
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 16, 2026
Origin
Litchfield, PA
Afternoon
in Litchfield on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph8% 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
45 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
2h 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate via Sackett Creek Road, West River Road, and the Southern Tier Expressway, which keeps the experience grounded in local scenery. Because the road is dominated by technical, winding segments, you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. The absence of long, uninterrupted highway stretches means your focus will be consistently engaged by the road's changing geometry. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed transit.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.9 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 94.2 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 39.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.1 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,524 ft739 ft
Total Climb
1,173 ft
Total Descent
1,958 ft
Highest Point
1,524 ft
Elevation Range
785 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 94.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.1 miles (US 6 BUS): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Scranton, PA before heading back.
