If you are planning a trip from North Catasauqua to Scranton, expect a straightforward journey covering 73 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget roughly $12 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, it provides a consistent, reliable pace for travelers heading north. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the trip is efficient and simple to navigate.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.5 miles from North Catasauqua, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 32-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak congestion. Because there are no mandatory stops built into this 73-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep in mind that your primary transit will rely on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, so ensure your toll transponder is ready before you start your engine. Budgeting your $12 fuel cost ahead of time will help keep your travel logistics simple. Taking the time to check traffic reports for the Turnpike before you leave North Catasauqua will ensure you have the smoothest experience possible.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.5 miles from North Catasauqua, PA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.5 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 16 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.5 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Catasauqua, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Catasauqua, PA
This is one driving day of about 73 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Catasauqua, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 38.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 72.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Cypress Street
Turn left onto Cypress Street
Navigation decision point
5
21.3 mi into trip|~30m in|US 209 / Interchange Road
Turn right onto US 209 / Interchange Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
23 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 476, PATP
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476, PATP
5
23.3 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 476 North: Scranton
7
72.8 mi into trip|~1h 32m 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
$12.10 one way
$24.20 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.25
$26.51
premium
$4.93
$14.16
$28.31
diesel
$5.61
$16.12
$32.23
Estimated Tolls: $5.01
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(38.5 mi)$5.01
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
$12
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.3
0
$6.39
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
North Catasauqua, PA
Morning
in North Catasauqua on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:32 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
7 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 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 73-mile route consists of 64% highway driving, offering a reliable experience for those who prefer interstate travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, which facilitate a steady flow of traffic. The most uninterrupted portion of your journey occurs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, where you will cover a 38.5-mile stretch without needing to deviate. Your drive begins with a transition through local corridors like MacArthur Road before merging into these faster, high-capacity arteries. Overall, the road maintains a predictable, high-speed character that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.5 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Cypress Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.2 miles (Cypress Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 North Catasauqua, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Patp and Scranton.
Patp
23 mi in|~33m
Scranton
62.2 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 73 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.5 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.01 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 City of 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 0.2 miles (Cypress Street): Navigation decision point; at 21.3 miles (US 209 / Interchange Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Scranton, PA before heading back.
