Nixon, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 281.2 miles and takes about 5h 35m via Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, primarily utilizing the Keystone Shortway for a significant portion before transitioning to I-81. Expect a drive that is mostly on surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape rather than high-speed interstate cruising. It's a manageable one-day drive, but consider the fuel cost and the nature of the roads when planning your departure time.
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
140.6 miles from Nixon, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
197.2 mi
3h 32m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Chicora Road
18.3 mi
29m
Bald Eagle Street
8.7 mi
12m
3rd Street
8.5 mi
12m
Pittsburgh Road
5.7 mi
9m
Carwick Road
4.5 mi
6m
East Jefferson Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 197.2 mi, about 3h 32m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,102 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,486
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nixon, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
142 ft·12 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto PA 8
5.7 mi·9 min·Pittsburgh Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on PA 8
0.2 mi·31 sec·General Richard Butler Bridge
4
Continue on PA 8
407 ft·16 sec·South Main Street
5
Turn right onto PA 356
450 ft·22 sec·East Wayne Street
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto South McKean Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South McKean Street
7
Turn right onto PA 68
1.6 mi·2 min·East Jefferson Street
8
Continue on PA 68
9.6 mi·14 min·Chicora Road
9
Continue on PA 68
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
10
Continue on PA 68
0.2 mi·14 sec·Chicora Road
11
Continue on PA 68
8.5 mi·15 min·Chicora Road
12
Turn right onto PA 68
0.4 mi·36 sec·Kellys Way
13
Turn left onto PA 68
8.5 mi·12 min·3rd Street
14
Continue on PA 68
4.5 mi·6 min·Carwick Road
15
Turn right onto PA 68
8.7 mi·12 min·Bald Eagle Street
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
17
Merge onto I 80; PA 66
197 mi·3 hr 32 min·Keystone Shortway
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
19
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
21
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 35-minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is advisable to allow ample daylight for the 281.2-mile trip. While the route is designed for a single day, the 197.2-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway means you'll have a long period without major changes in road type, so plan for a stop before or during this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $46, and be aware that the majority of the drive is on surface roads, which may affect your average speed. Consider where you'll pick up services as you move from the Keystone Shortway onto I-81.
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 140.6 miles from Nixon, PA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.2 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 62 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.6 miles or 2h 56m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nixon, 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 Nixon, PA
This is one driving day of about 281.2 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Nixon, 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 197.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 281 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road
At end of road, turn right onto PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
6 mi into trip|~10m in|PA 356 / East Wayne Street
Turn right onto PA 356 / East Wayne Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in|South McKean Street
Turn left onto South McKean Street
Navigation decision point
5
246.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
281 mi into trip|~5h 34m 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
$45.88 one way
$91.76 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$50.45
$100.90
premium
$4.86
$53.84
$107.68
diesel
$5.40
$59.82
$119.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Exxon - Tesla Supercharger
Milton, PA
Tesla
16 DCFC
URBN Flavourhaus Lamar - Tesla Supercharger
Mill Hall, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Shell Station - Tesla Supercharger
Drums, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Laurel Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Hazleton, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Wilkes-Barre Township Commons - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.60
$11.25
EV Truck/SUV
112.5
1
$39.37
$18.00
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 26, 2026
Origin
Nixon, PA
Afternoon
in Nixon on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
33°F
Clearfield, PA
141 mi in
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
5 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 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 12% highway driving, with the longest stretch on the Keystone Shortway covering 197.2 miles. After this significant portion on the Keystone Shortway, you'll likely transition to more surface roads, including Chicora Road, as indicated by the "Mostly surface roads" profile. Be prepared for a less continuous high-speed experience, with more opportunities to notice the local environment as you pass through the state.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 197.2 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 35m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (PA 356 / East Wayne Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (South McKean Street): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 35m. Total distance: 281.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 197.2 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 8 / Pittsburgh Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (PA 356 / East Wayne Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles (South McKean Street): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Scranton, PA before the return drive.
