Traveling from Oxford to Scranton covers approximately 158.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. This route is an efficient highway-focused journey that utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Turnpike Northeast Extension, and I-81. Because the entire drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you have specific business in the Scranton area. Budgeting around $26 for fuel should cover your needs for this Northeast Pennsylvania transit. It is a straightforward trek that connects the southern edge of the state to the north, making it a practical choice for those who value speed and direct access over backroad exploration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.3 miles from Oxford, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one well-timed stop will help you stay refreshed. Keep in mind that with only one recommended stop, you should aim to stretch your legs roughly halfway through the 3-hour and 13-minute duration to maintain focus. Monitor your fuel gauge before entering the long 94.3-mile stretch on the Northeast Extension to avoid unnecessary stress on the road. If you are traveling during peak weekday hours, check traffic reports for I-81, as congestion can occasionally impact your arrival time. Using this direct approach allows you to reach your destination without the fatigue often associated with more technical or rural routes.
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 79.3 miles from Oxford, PA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.3 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 35 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
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 Oxford, 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 Oxford, PA
This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Oxford, 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 94.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 158.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.5 mi into trip|~32m in|US 30 / Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass
Merge onto US 30 / Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
26.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward PA 113 North: Lionville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward PA 113 North: Lionville
8
31.3 mi into trip|~50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 76 East: Valley Forge, New Jersey
7
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Northeast Extension, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 476 North: Northeast Extension, Allent...
7
158.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$26.31 one way
$52.62 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$28.82
$57.63
premium
$4.93
$30.78
$61.56
diesel
$5.61
$35.04
$70.08
Estimated Tolls: $15.07
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(115.9 mi)$15.07
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
$26
Tolls
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
EV Truck/SUV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Oxford, PA
Afternoon
in Oxford on Sunday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
1:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 12 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:55PM EDT until April 14 at 5:30PM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:51PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
26 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
3h 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 27.4
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 54.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed transit, as roughly 78% of your travel time will be spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.3 miles along the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The character of the road is functional and designed for distance, moving you steadily across the landscape rather than winding through local towns. While the highway environment remains consistent, you should prepare for the transition between the turnpike system and the I-81 corridor. It is a no-nonsense driving experience that prioritizes efficiency for the modern commuter.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.3 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 miles in near US 30 / Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 158.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19.5 miles (US 30 / Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Oxford, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Patp, New Jersey, Allentown and Scranton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.3 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $15.07 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.5 miles (US 30 / Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and First State National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
