This 204.9-mile drive from Martinsburg, PA, to Scranton, PA, is easily manageable as a one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. You'll be covering ground primarily on the Keystone Shortway and I-99 before transitioning to I-81. With a projected fuel cost of around $34, this route offers a straightforward journey through Pennsylvania's Northeast region. The mixed drive profile suggests you won't be stuck on a single type of road for the entire duration, making it a comfortable option for a single-day excursion. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
102.4 miles from Martinsburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
62.5 mi
1h 9m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Woodbury Pike
3.2 mi
5m
Cove Mountain Road
2.9 mi
5m
River Street
1 mi
1m
East Allegheny Street
0.6 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsburg, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 164
0.6 mi·1 min·East Allegheny Street
2
Continue on PA 164
2.9 mi·5 min·Cove Mountain Road
3
Continue on PA 164
0.5 mi·59 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn right onto PA 36; PA 164
3.2 mi·5 min·Woodbury Pike
5
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·21 sec·this road
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 99; US 220
46 mi·50 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
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
18
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
19
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 57-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Martinsburg to maximize your daylight and avoid potential traffic. With a total distance of 204.9 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, with just one recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost is $34, so factor that into your budget. This route offers enough flexibility that you can decide on your stop timing as you go.
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 102.4 miles from Martinsburg, PA, or about 1h 59m 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 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.4 miles or 1h 59m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Martinsburg, 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 Martinsburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 204.9 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Martinsburg, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.2 and 204.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
54.2 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
170 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
204.3 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
$33.97 one way
$67.94 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$37.20
$74.41
premium
$4.93
$39.74
$79.48
diesel
$5.61
$45.24
$90.48
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: 71.7 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
61.5
0
$21.51
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.69
$13.11
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
Martinsburg, PA
Late night
in Martinsburg on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
5:25 AM
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
29 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 57m 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 varied driving experience on this 204.9-mile route. With 46% of the journey on highways, you'll encounter some faster-paced sections, interspersed with other road types. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, offering a significant period of uninterrupted travel. This mixed drive profile means the road's character will shift, providing a dynamic journey rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You'll experience different driving conditions as you progress toward Scranton.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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?
7/10
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 54.2 miles in near I 99; US 220; US 322.
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 13 significant decision points across 204.9 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 54.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Scranton is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is near Wilkes-Barre, and is the seventh most populous city in the state. Today, it is perhaps best known as the setting of the hit TV show "The Office" and the birthplace of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 204.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 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 54.2 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
