Mount Pleasant, PA to Scranton, PA is 285.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Keystone Shortway, I-99, and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. You'll encounter a significant portion of highway driving, so be prepared for consistent travel speeds. This route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and a direct path 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
142.9 miles from Mount Pleasant, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
85.5 mi
1h 34m
Pennsylvania Turnpike
55 mi
1h 1m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
State Route 31
5.9 mi
9m
West Main Street
3.2 mi
4m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on North Alley
132 ft·11 sec·North Alley
2
Turn right
176 ft·18 sec
3
Turn left onto PA 31
3.2 mi·4 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on PA 31
5.9 mi·9 min·State Route 31
5
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·33 sec
6
Turn left
28 ft·3 sec
7
Take the ramp
493 ft·12 sec
Toward PATP, I 70, I 76
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
9
Merge onto I 70; I 76; PATP
55 mi·1 hr 1 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Bedford, AltoonaUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto US 220 BUS
0.3 mi·42 sec·Business 220
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
14
Merge onto I 99; US 220
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·I 99; US 220
15
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.
16
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
17
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
18
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
20
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
22
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
25
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
26
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. You'll have one planned stop, but with the drive being less than 6 hours, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, as services might be more spaced out. The highway share of 63% means you'll be on well-maintained roads, but always be aware of changing traffic conditions.
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 142.9 miles from Mount Pleasant, PA, or about 2h 44m 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.9 miles or 2h 44m 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 25m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, PA
This is one driving day of about 285.8 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.6 and 285.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward Bedford, Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Bedford, Altoona
6
65.3 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the ramp toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99, US 220: Cumberland, Altoona
7
65.5 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Keep slight right 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
151.3 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
$47.38 one way
$94.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$51.89
$103.79
premium
$4.93
$55.43
$110.85
diesel
$5.61
$63.10
$126.20
Estimated Tolls: $7.15
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(55 mi)$7.15
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
$47
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.7
1
$30.01
$13.72
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.01
$11.43
EV Truck/SUV
114.3
1
$40.01
$18.29
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 19, 2026
Origin
Mount Pleasant, PA
Morning
in Mount Pleasant on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
11:11 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
30 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 28m 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.
Flight 93 National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 39.4
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 88.7
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 9.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a highway-focused experience, with 63% of the drive taking place on major highways. You'll be on roads like the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike for much of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, allowing for extended periods of consistent travel. Expect a steady pace for the majority of this journey, with limited opportunities for slower, scenic byways. The character of the drive is geared towards covering ground efficiently.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 99. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 64.6 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 285.8 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 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 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.
Between Mount Pleasant, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Bedford and Altoona.
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 28m. Total distance: 285.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m 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.
Expect about $7.15 in tolls one way, starting with Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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 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 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Flight 93 National Memorial, Johnstown Flood National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. 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 10.9 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.
