Lower Burrell, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 276 miles and takes about 5.5 hours via Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With most of the route on surface roads, expect a more scenic, less direct path than a pure interstate trip. Given the 5.5-hour estimated drive time, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion.
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
138 miles from Lower Burrell, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
139.7 mi
2h 31m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
PA 286
27.7 mi
32m
1st Street
17 mi
25m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Stevenson Boulevard
5.6 mi
9m
PA 56
5.1 mi
6m
Benjamin Franklin Highway
4.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 139.7 mi, about 2h 31m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,116 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,517
Quietest
2 AM
~188 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 Lower Burrell, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 366; PA 56 Truck
0.1 mi·21 sec·Freeport Street
2
Turn straight onto PA 366; PA 56 Truck
5.6 mi·9 min·Stevenson Boulevard
3
Turn right onto Greenwood Road
0.4 mi·51 sec·Greenwood Road
4
Continue on Markle Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Markle Road
5
Continue on Melwood Road
4.4 mi·6 min·Melwood Road
6
Continue on Hyde Park Road
0.5 mi·56 sec·Hyde Park Road
7
Turn right onto PA 56
2.2 mi·3 min·PA 56
8
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 66 ALT
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 56; PA 66 ALT
9
Turn left onto PA 56; PA 66 ALT
171 ft·2 sec·Farragut Avenue
10
Continue on PA 56; PA 66 ALT
0.1 mi·16 sec·Dime Road
11
Turn right onto PA 56; PA 66
2.6 mi·3 min·PA 56; PA 66
12
Turn left onto PA 56
16 mi·24 min·1st Street
13
Turn right onto US 422; PA 56
4.9 mi·7 min·Benjamin Franklin Highway
14
Take the exit onto US 422 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·US 422 Business
Toward Philadelphia StreetUse the slight left lane.
15
Continue on Philadelphia Street
0.5 mi·47 sec·Philadelphia Street
16
Continue on West Pike Road
0.2 mi·15 sec·West Pike Road
17
Continue on Philadelphia Street
2.4 mi·3 min·Philadelphia Street
18
Take the exit onto PA 286
28 mi·32 min·PA 286
Toward PA 286 East: Clymer
19
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
20
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
21
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
22
Continue on US 219; PA 36
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Main Street
23
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
24
Continue on US 219
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
25
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
26
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
27
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
28
Continue on PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
29
Turn right onto PA 879
4.2 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
31
Merge onto I 80
140 mi·2 hr 31 min·Keystone Shortway
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
33
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
35
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
36
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to give yourself ample time to reach Scranton before evening. The single recommended stop suggests you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it into two days. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 budget is an estimate and gas prices can fluctuate, especially on less-traveled stretches. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 138 miles from Lower Burrell, PA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.7 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 61 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138 miles or 2h 54m 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 29m
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 Lower Burrell, 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 Lower Burrell, PA
This is one driving day of about 275.9 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Lower Burrell, 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 139.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.5 and 275.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
16.5 mi into trip|~25m in|PA 56 / 1st Street
Turn left onto PA 56 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
6
37.7 mi into trip|~57m in|US 422 Business
Take the exit onto US 422 Business toward Philadelphia Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Philadelphia Street
4
42.7 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|PA 286
Take the exit onto PA 286 toward PA 286 East: Clymer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 286 East: Clymer
5
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 46m 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
275.7 mi into trip|~5h 30m 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
$43.99 one way
$87.98 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$48.68
$97.37
premium
$4.81
$52.23
$104.45
diesel
$4.80
$52.10
$104.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.97
$13.24
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.14
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.63
$17.66
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lower Burrell, PA
Morning
in Lower Burrell on Sunday
Local time
11:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Smoke
SE 1 to 5 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
11:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 0 to 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
83°F
Clearfield, PA
138 mi in
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
5h 30m 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 47.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 24% of the 276 miles on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Keystone Shortway, covering 139.7 miles. After this, expect a transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. The profile suggests a more relaxed pace, with fewer high-speed sections and more opportunities to notice the local landscape.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.7 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 16.5 miles in near PA 56 / 1st Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 30m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (PA 56 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.7 miles (US 422 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (PA 286): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.7 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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.
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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.5 miles (PA 56 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.7 miles (US 422 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.7 miles (PA 286): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
