This 286.8-mile journey from McKees Rocks, PA, to Scranton, PA, is a feasible one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. You'll be navigating a mix of major roadways, with 36% of the drive on highways, making it a relatively efficient transit across Pennsylvania. With an estimated fuel cost of $47, this route offers a straightforward way to travel within the Northeast region. Considering the duration, it's a manageable drive to complete in a single day, though you might want to start early to allow for a relaxed pace. This trip is a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points in the state.
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
143.4 miles from McKees Rocks, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m 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
West Carson Street
2.3 mi
4m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKees Rocks, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Blue Belt
0.4 mi·43 sec·Chartiers Avenue
2
Continue on PA 51
506 ft·11 sec·Stanhope Street
3
Continue on PA 51
0.2 mi·19 sec·Stanhope Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto PA 51
1.8 mi·3 min·West Carson Street
5
Turn slight right
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward PA 837 South: Downtown
6
Turn straight onto PA 837
0.5 mi·1 min·West Carson Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
8
Merge onto I 376; US 22; US 30
0.1 mi·12 sec·Penn-Lincoln Parkway West
9
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.
10
Merge onto US 22
45 mi·1 hr 5 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
15
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
16
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.
17
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
18
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
21
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
23
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
26
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
27
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from McKees Rocks to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. While this route is well within the scope of a single day, you'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 100 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so earmark that as a good point to consider a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the non-highway portions where stations might be less frequent. At $47 for fuel, it's a budget-friendly trip, but it's always wise to be prepared.
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 143.4 miles from McKees Rocks, PA, or about 3h 8m 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 63 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.4 miles or 3h 8m 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 49m
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 McKees Rocks, 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 McKees Rocks, PA
This is one driving day of about 286.8 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from McKees Rocks, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 286.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~7m 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
94.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
136 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
152.3 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
286.1 mi into trip|~5h 51m 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
$47.55 one way
$95.10 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$52.08
$104.15
premium
$4.93
$55.62
$111.24
diesel
$5.61
$63.32
$126.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
Efficient EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.47
EV Truck/SUV
114.7
1
$40.15
$18.36
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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 13, 2026
Origin
McKees Rocks, PA
Late night
in McKees Rocks on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 15 mph30% 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
7 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
5h 52m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 69.2
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 69.2
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 on this route, incorporating both highway and non-highway sections. With 36% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter faster-paced travel, but also periods on other main roads like the Keystone Shortway and William Penn Highway. The longest continuous stretch you'll cover without a significant change in road type is 99.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway. This suggests a drive that balances efficiency with opportunities to see more of the local landscape outside of pure interstate cruising. The profile indicates a varied road experience, not a monotonous highway grind.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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 3.7 miles in near I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.
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 16 significant decision points across 286.8 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 3.7 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,027 ft522 ft
Total Climb
2,235 ft
Total Descent
2,227 ft
Highest Point
2,027 ft
~81.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,505 ft
Notable High Points
1,488 ft at ~184.3 miles+508 ft prominence
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 McKees Rocks, 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 5h 52m. Total distance: 286.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 3.7 miles (I 376; US 22; US 30 / Penn-Lincoln Parkway East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
