Connecting Reading to Scranton, this 102.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek through Northeast Pennsylvania that typically takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you plan to linger at your destination. Budgeting approximately $17 for fuel is a safe estimate for most standard vehicles on this path. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, it serves as an efficient transit between these two regional hubs. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, the simplicity of the logistics makes this an accessible excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.1 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
59.6 mi
1h 10m
Pottsville Pike
14.4 mi
18m
Centre Turnpike
10.6 mi
12m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
Route 61 South
3 mi
3m
Centre Avenue
3 mi
4m
South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
1.5 mi
2m
South Centre Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
279 ft·8 sec·Penn Street
2
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
0.5 mi·55 sec·North 5th Street
3
Turn slight left onto PA 61
3.0 mi·4 min·Centre Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on PA 61
4.7 mi·6 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·South Centre Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on PA 61
3.2 mi·3 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on PA 61
0.6 mi·43 sec·Shoemaker Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on PA 61
2.3 mi·2 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·19 sec·South 4th Street
10
Continue on PA 61
4.2 mi·5 min·Pottsville Pike
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on PA 61
11 mi·12 min·Centre Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on PA 61
3.0 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
13
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
15
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
16
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
18
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
20
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours remains a smart strategy for a smoother transition onto I-81. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this route, you have the freedom to push through the entire 102.1 miles in one go if you prefer. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate, as the longest 59.6-mile stretch offers fewer opportunities to pull off for quick service. Packing a few snacks or beverages in the car is a practical way to stay comfortable, especially since the drive is short enough that you likely won't need a formal meal break. Use the initial segments on the Pottsville Pike to get comfortable with your vehicle before committing to the faster highway speeds ahead.
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 51.1 miles from Reading, PA, or about 1h 4m 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.1 miles or 1h 4m 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 43m
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 Reading, 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 Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 102.1 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Reading, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 102 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Turn right onto US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|PA 61 / Centre Avenue
Turn slight left onto PA 61 / Centre Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
41 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
100.8 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward PA 307
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 307
7
102 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
$16.93 one way
$33.85 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$18.54
$37.08
premium
$4.93
$19.80
$39.60
diesel
$5.61
$22.54
$45.08
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Centre Turnpike
(10.6 mi)$0.74
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
$17
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.6
0
$10.72
$4.90
Efficient EV
25.5
0
$8.93
$4.08
EV Truck/SUV
40.8
0
$14.29
$6.53
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Reading, PA
Morning
in Reading on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 12 mph35% chanceLive 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
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
2h 6m 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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 31.7
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that leans heavily on highway travel, with 72% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of roads, including the Pottsville Pike and Centre Turnpike, before settling into the primary artery of I-81. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on I-81, where you will cover 59.6 miles of continuous highway driving. This transition from local routes to the interstate creates a distinct shift in pace, moving from typical road environments to a faster, more consistent flow. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a consistent, interstate-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvering.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Pottsville Pike. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 6m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (PA 61 / Centre Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 102.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.74 in tolls one way, starting with Centre 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.
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 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (PA 61 / Centre Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 41 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.
