Spanning 304.6 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip between Luzerne and Scranton is a substantial journey that takes approximately 6 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a mixed drive, you can comfortably tackle the distance in a single day if you stay focused. Budgeting around $50 for fuel should cover your needs, provided you plan accordingly. You will navigate through the Northeast region, utilizing major thoroughfares like the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and the William Penn Highway. While it is certainly feasible as a one-day push, keep in mind that the total travel time requires a steady pace to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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
152.3 miles from Luzerne, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
William Penn Highway
51 mi
1h 6m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
20 mi
27m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12.9 mi
13m
Mon/Fayette Expressway
8.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Luzerne, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Narrows Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Narrows Road
2
Continue on Labelle Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Labelle Road
3
Turn sharp right onto T603
0.5 mi·1 min·T603
4
Continue on Alicia Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Alicia Road
5
Turn right onto Telegraph Road
377 ft·9 sec·Telegraph Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
7
Merge onto PA Tpke 43
8.8 mi·9 min·Mon/Fayette Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 70 East: New Stanton
9
Merge onto I 70
20 mi·27 min·Dwight D Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward PA Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
11
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
13 mi·13 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
12
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
19
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
20
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.
21
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
22
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
23
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
25
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
27
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For a smooth journey, try to depart early in the morning to account for the 6-hour and 11-minute drive time. Since the trip involves only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, especially given the $50 fuel budget. Because the route is a mix of highway and local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits as you exit the Keystone Shortway for smaller stretches. Having your navigation ready is essential for these transitions, as the road personality changes frequently. With a 1-day recommended timeline, staying flexible with your departure window will help you avoid peak traffic periods and make the most of your time on the road.
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 152.3 miles from Luzerne, PA, or about 3h 17m 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 67 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.3 miles or 3h 17m 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 5m
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 Luzerne, 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 Luzerne, PA
This is one driving day of about 304.6 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Luzerne, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 47 and 304.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
47 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
154.4 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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.
7
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m 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
304.5 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
$50.50 one way
$101.00 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$55.31
$110.62
premium
$4.93
$59.07
$118.15
diesel
$5.61
$67.25
$134.50
Estimated Tolls: $1.52
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(12.9 mi)$0.90
Mon/Fayette Expressway
(8.8 mi)$0.62
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.98
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.2
0
$26.65
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.64
$19.49
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Luzerne, PA
Morning
in Luzerne on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
9:46 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
36 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 11m 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.
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...
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...
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 varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is only 32% highway-based. You will transition between high-speed interstate segments and more measured local driving, keeping the journey engaging throughout the 6-hour duration. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip occurs on the Keystone Shortway, where you will spend 99.3 miles maintaining a consistent cruising speed. As you navigate the transition from the William Penn Highway to the other main roads, the character of the pavement and traffic density will shift noticeably. This mix ensures you aren't stuck in a repetitive interstate grind, though you should remain alert to changing road conditions as you move between regions.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 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?
10/10
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 47 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 304.6 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Luzerne, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont and Bedford.
Pa Turnpike 66 North: Delmont
33.5 mi in|~49m
Bedford
112 mi in|~2h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 304.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Expect about $1.52 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.4 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Flight 93 National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
