Origin
North Heidelberg, PA
Afternoon in North Heidelberg on Sunday
Local time
12:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Heidelberg, PA to City of 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
2h 7m
Distance
94.5 mi
152 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Heidelberg, PA
Michael Taccetta
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
North Heidelberg, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 94.5 miles and takes about 2h 7m via I 81, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a drive that's primarily on the interstate, making it a straightforward journey. It's a manageable distance for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Consider this route if you're looking for efficiency between these two locations without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.3 miles from North Heidelberg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 59.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| Bernville Road | 18.2 mi | 28m |
| Joseph H. Long Boulevard | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Route 61 South | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| North Heidelberg Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| South Claude A. Lord Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Pottsville Saint Clair Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Heidelberg, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Charming Forge Road
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Charming Forge Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Heidelberg Road
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Heidelberg Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto PA 183
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bernville Road
4
Continue on PA 183
16 mi
·
24 min
·
Bernville Road
5
Continue on PA 183
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Sillyman Street
6
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pottsville Street
7
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Route 61 South
8
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Pottsville Boulevard
9
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
10
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
11
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
13
Merge onto I 81
60 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 81
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
15
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over two hours, this is an easy same-day trip. You could comfortably depart in the morning and arrive in Scranton with plenty of time to spare. Given the relatively short distance and the majority of the route being on I 81, you might not need many stops. However, keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 59.6-mile stretch on I 81, and ensure you have enough to reach Scranton or a convenient exit. Planning to leave mid-morning could help you avoid the worst of any local traffic around North Heidelberg.
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 47.3 miles from North Heidelberg, PA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 21 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 45m
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 Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg, PA
This is one driving day of about 94.5 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from North Heidelberg, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 59.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.3 miles from North Heidelberg, 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
North Heidelberg Road
At end of road, turn left onto North Heidelberg Road
Navigation decision point
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
PA 183 / Bernville Road
At end of road, turn left onto PA 183 / Bernville Road
Navigation decision point
4
33.3 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
4
93.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
94.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
$15.67 one way
$31.33 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $17.16 | $34.32 |
| premium | $4.93 | $18.33 | $36.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.86 | $41.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.92 | $4.54 |
| Efficient EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Patchy Fog
W 3 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 4:51AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
15 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
2h 7m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 13
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 81. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 59.6 miles on I 81, suggesting long periods of consistent speed. While the profile indicates a highway-centric experience, segments on Bernville Road and Joseph H. Long Boulevard will offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the interstate. Overall, anticipate a driving experience dominated by efficient travel on well-maintained roads.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Bernville Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near North Heidelberg Road.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from North Heidelberg, PA to City of Scranton, PA is easy. At 2h 7m with 66% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Heidelberg Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (PA 183 / Bernville Road): Navigation decision point; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 94.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (North Heidelberg Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (PA 183 / Bernville Road): Navigation decision point; at 33.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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