Philipsburg, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is 169.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m via the Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region from start to finish. Expect a route that involves frequent turns and a mix of highway driving, making it a dynamic journey rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a recommended single day for completion, this trip offers flexibility for spontaneous stops or a direct transit.
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
84.7 miles from Philipsburg, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
I 99
16.3 mi
19m
28th Division Highway
8.6 mi
9m
Port Matilda Highway
5.9 mi
8m
Upper Flat Rock Road
2.2 mi
3m
Flat Rock Road
1.8 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philipsburg, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 53; Historic US 322
0.6 mi·1 min·East Presqueisle Street
2
Turn right onto US 322
522 ft·12 sec·Twenty-Eighth Division Highway
3
Continue on US 322
5.9 mi·8 min·Port Matilda Highway
4
Turn slight right onto US 322
2.2 mi·3 min·Upper Flat Rock Road
5
Continue on US 322
1.8 mi·2 min·Flat Rock Road
6
Continue on US 322
8.6 mi·9 min·28th Division Highway
Toward US 322 East: State College
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
9
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
12
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
14
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 16m duration and 169.4-mile length, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and refuel, especially considering the $28 fuel cost estimate. The 'turn-heavy' profile suggests paying close attention to navigation, particularly when transitioning between the Keystone Shortway, I-99, and I-81. Ensure your GPS is up-to-date to smoothly handle the more complex sections of the route.
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 84.7 miles from Philipsburg, PA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 1h 38m 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 38m
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 Philipsburg, 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 Philipsburg, PA
This is one driving day of about 169.4 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Philipsburg, 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 99.3 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.1 and 169.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
19.1 mi into trip|~25m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
23.1 mi into trip|~29m in|I 99; US 220
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
7
35.4 mi into trip|~44m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
5
135 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
169.2 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$28.08 one way
$56.17 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$30.76
$61.52
premium
$4.93
$32.85
$65.71
diesel
$5.61
$37.40
$74.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.8
0
$17.79
$8.13
Efficient EV
42.4
0
$14.82
$6.78
EV Truck/SUV
67.8
0
$23.72
$10.84
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 17, 2026
Origin
Philipsburg, PA
Afternoon
in Philipsburg on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Afternoon
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
12:19 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive 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
60°F
Carroll, PA
85 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
21 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 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' character, with only 29% of the journey on highways. While it features a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway, be prepared for more varied road conditions and frequent changes in direction. The drive will likely feel more connected to local landscapes and communities, offering a different experience than a pure interstate experience. You'll experience a blend of faster segments and more winding local roads.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.1 miles in near I 99; US 220; US 322.
Driving Effort6/10
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 169.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 19.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 169.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 19.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles (I 99; US 220): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
