North Buffalo, PA to City of Scranton, PA is 261.6 miles and takes about 5h 9m via Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traveling through the Northeast region for its entirety. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, with a significant portion on the Keystone Shortway. It's a manageable one-day drive, ideal for those looking for a straightforward trip without extensive overnight planning.
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
130.8 miles from North Buffalo, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
180.6 mi
3h 15m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
PA 66
21 mi
30m
Brookville Street
19.1 mi
29m
Main Street
2.6 mi
3m
Ford City Road
2.2 mi
3m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Prospect Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 180.6 mi, about 3h 15m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,076 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,513
Quietest
2 AM
~191 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 North Buffalo, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Boarts Road
76 ft·10 sec·Boarts Road
2
Turn sharp left onto PA 128
0.4 mi·39 sec·Cadogan Slate Lick Road
3
Continue on PA 128
0.3 mi·40 sec·Main Street
4
Turn left onto PA 128
0.5 mi·47 sec·Prospect Avenue
5
Continue on PA 128
2.2 mi·3 min·Ford City Road
6
Turn slight right onto Hill Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Hill Street
7
Turn straight onto Pleasantview Drive
481 ft·29 sec·Pleasantview Drive
8
Turn left onto PA 66
2.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
9
Take the exit onto PA 66
0.3 mi·39 sec·PA 66
10
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 66
21 mi·29 min·PA 66
11
Continue on PA 28
19 mi·29 min·Brookville Street
12
Take the ramp onto PA 28 Truck
0.4 mi·46 sec·PA 28 Truck
13
Merge onto I 80; PA 28 Truck
181 mi·3 hr 15 min·Keystone Shortway
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
15
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
17
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
18
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, starting your trip in North Buffalo in the morning will allow you to reach Scranton with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly, keeping in mind the $44 estimated fuel cost. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 180 miles on the Keystone Shortway, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly if needed.
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 130.8 miles from North Buffalo, PA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.6 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 58 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.8 miles or 2h 41m 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 12m
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 North Buffalo, 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 North Buffalo, PA
This is one driving day of about 261.6 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from North Buffalo, 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 180.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 261.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road
Turn sharp left onto PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
3.9 mi into trip|~8m in|PA 66 / Main Street
Turn left onto PA 66 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
6.4 mi into trip|~11m in|PA 66
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 66
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
227.2 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
261.4 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
$45.69 one way
$91.37 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$50.02
$100.05
premium
$5.20
$53.51
$107.03
diesel
$6.28
$64.64
$129.28
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: 91.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.47
$12.56
Efficient EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
EV Truck/SUV
104.6
1
$36.62
$16.74
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
North Buffalo, PA
Morning
in North Buffalo on Friday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Friday
Local time
6:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM 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
2 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 9m 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 is mostly surface roads, with only 21% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 180.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to other roads like I-81 and PA-66. The profile suggests a more rural cruising experience for much of the trip, punctuated by sections that may have more frequent exits or merges depending on the specific highway segments.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.9 miles (PA 66 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (PA 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,823 ft586 ft
Total Climb
1,604 ft
Total Descent
1,940 ft
Highest Point
1,823 ft
~74.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,238 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 261.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (PA 128 / Cadogan Slate Lick Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 3.9 miles (PA 66 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.4 miles (PA 66): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
