Spanning 298.9 miles across Pennsylvania, this trip from McDonald to Scranton typically takes about 6 hours and 14 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total duration is manageable for a single day of travel, you can easily complete this journey in one go without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $49 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the route involves a blend of major arteries, including the Keystone Shortway, the William Penn Highway, and I-99. Since both your start and end points are located within the Northeast region, you will remain in a familiar geographic corridor for the duration of the drive. It is a straightforward, practical transit that connects these two Pennsylvania hubs efficiently.
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
149.5 miles from McDonald, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
William Penn Highway
61.6 mi
1h 25m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
14.7 mi
20m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
7.9 mi
11m
Noblestown Road
5.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McDonald, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Sarah Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Sarah Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Center Avenue
278 ft·19 sec·Center Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue
0.3 mi·42 sec·East Lincoln Avenue
4
Continue on Noblestown Road
2.1 mi·4 min·Noblestown Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto Noblestown Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Noblestown Road
6
Continue on Noblestown Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·Noblestown Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto PA 978; Orange Belt
1.9 mi·3 min·Noblestown Road
8
Turn straight onto Pinkerton Road
104 ft·8 sec·Pinkerton Road
9
Turn right onto Baldwin Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Baldwin Road
10
Turn left onto Cowan Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Cowan Road
11
Continue on Boyce Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Boyce Road
12
Take the ramp
342 ft·8 sec
Toward I 376 East
13
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
7.9 mi·11 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30
15 mi·20 min·Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Toward I 376 East: MonroevilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
18
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
20
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
21
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.
22
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
23
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
24
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
26
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
28
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
29
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
31
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
32
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels steady throughout the 6-hour and 14-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way. Since this is a single-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Scranton before nightfall. Keep a close eye on your odometer while navigating the 99.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway, as this is the best time to check your fuel levels and grab a quick snack. Because the route is relatively compact, you have the flexibility to adjust your pacing based on traffic conditions. Always double-check your route map before pulling onto the highway to ensure you are comfortable with the transitions between the major roads provided.
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 149.5 miles from McDonald, PA, or about 3h 23m 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 66 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.5 miles or 3h 23m 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 8m
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 McDonald, 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 McDonald, PA
This is one driving day of about 298.9 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from McDonald, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 298.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|East Lincoln Avenue
Turn sharp left onto East Lincoln Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
15.9 mi into trip|~29m in|I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East toward I 376 East: Monroeville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 376 East: Monroeville
6
106.4 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
7
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
298.3 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
$49.55 one way
$99.11 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$54.27
$108.55
premium
$4.93
$57.97
$115.94
diesel
$5.61
$65.99
$131.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.7
1
$31.38
$14.35
Efficient EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.96
EV Truck/SUV
119.6
1
$41.85
$19.13
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
McDonald, PA
Late night
in McDonald on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 2 to 6 mph51% 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
10 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 14m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 82.5
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 82.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between different types of roadway infrastructure. With roughly 38% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will find moments of high-speed cruising balanced by more varied road conditions. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Keystone Shortway, where you will cover 99.3 miles of consistent driving. This creates a rhythm that shifts from long, open segments to more technical transitions between the William Penn Highway and I-99. You should be prepared for this changing character, as the road personality evolves as you progress through the state.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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?
9/10
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 0.2 miles in near East Lincoln Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 298.9 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 0.2 miles (East Lincoln Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 15.9 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from McDonald, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
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 6h 14m. Total distance: 298.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m 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.
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 0.2 miles (East Lincoln Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 15.9 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial 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 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scranton, PA before the return drive.
