Origin
Nesquehoning, PA
Late night in Nesquehoning on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nesquehoning, PA to Scranton, PA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
52.8 mi
85 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 25m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nesquehoning, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Nesquehoning to Scranton, this 52.8-mile journey is a straightforward trek through Pennsylvania’s Northeast region. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 13 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the route is as economical as it is efficient. You will primarily utilize the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81 to navigate between these two points. Because the distance is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to arrive and return on your own terms. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from the southern end of the region to the hub of Scranton without unnecessary complications.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 27 mi | 31m |
| North Street | 10.4 mi | 19m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| East Catawissa Street | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lehigh Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Biden Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 27 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nesquehoning, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on North Mermon Avenue
59 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Mermon Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 209
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East Catawissa Street
3
Continue on US 209
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Lehigh Avenue
4
Turn left onto PA 903
10 mi
·
19 min
·
North Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward PATP North, I 476 North: Scranton
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 476; PATP
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
9
Merge onto PA 315
523 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chestnut Street
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
11
Merge onto I 81
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 81
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
13
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Adams Avenue
16
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Biden Street
17
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wyoming Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Nesquehoning, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 14.4 and 52.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the ramp toward PATP North, I 476 North: Scranton
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward PATP North, I 476 North: Scranton
5
41.6 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
5
42.3 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 315 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
5
42.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
7
52.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
$8.75 one way
$17.51 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| premium | $4.93 | $10.24 | $20.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.66 | $23.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.51
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(27 mi)
$3.51
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$4
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.62 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
3:52 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
67°F
Hudson, PA
26 mi in
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
2 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
1h 13m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 67% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted 27-mile stretch while navigating the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, which allows for consistent speeds. Transitioning from the turnpike to I-81, the road shifts from regional connectivity to a more major interstate corridor. While you will spend a portion of the trip on North Street to bridge the gap between highways, the overall character remains functional rather than technical. Expect a steady, predictable pace that prioritizes moving you toward your destination quickly rather than offering winding or complex backroads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and North Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 52.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,844 ft
646 ft
Total Climb
1,381 ft
Total Descent
1,451 ft
Highest Point
1,844 ft
~30.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,198 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Nesquehoning, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Patp North along the way.
Patp North
14.4 mi in
|
~26m
About the Cities
Arriving in Scranton, PA
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 13m. Total distance: 52.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.51 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scranton, PA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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