This 99.9-mile drive from Richland, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 10 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated at $17. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient journey through Pennsylvania's Northeast region. Given its manageable length and duration, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so it's a practical option for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50 miles from Richland, 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
PA 183
9.9 mi
15m
Lancaster Avenue
5.5 mi
6m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
William Penn Highway
3.5 mi
4m
Route 61 South
2.9 mi
3m
North College Street
2.2 mi
2m
East Lincoln Avenue
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,824 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,145
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
92 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North Race Street
82 ft·7 sec·North Race Street
3
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Main Street
4
Continue on Chestnut Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Chestnut Street
5
Continue on Millardsville Road
1.2 mi·3 min·Millardsville Road
6
Turn left onto US 422
2.0 mi·3 min·East Lincoln Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
170 ft·5 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto PA 501
2.2 mi·2 min·North College Street
9
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi·4 min·Lancaster Avenue
10
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
11
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi·31 sec·Lancaster Avenue
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
13
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·William Penn Highway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 17Toward PA 419: RehrersburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi·2 min·Four Point Road
16
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi·15 min·PA 183
17
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
18
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
19
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
20
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
21
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
22
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
24
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
26
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 10-minute trip, starting your journey earlier in the day is a good strategy to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. With 0 designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over when you need a break, though the longest stretch on I 81 is nearly 60 miles, so plan accordingly. The estimated fuel cost is $17, which is a small portion of your overall travel budget. Keep an eye out for the transition from PA 183 to I 81, as this is a key point where the road character shifts significantly.
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 50 miles from Richland, 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50 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 47m
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 Richland, 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 Richland, PA
This is one driving day of about 99.9 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Richland, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Race Street
Turn left onto North Race Street
Navigation decision point
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|US 422 / East Lincoln Avenue
Turn left onto US 422 / East Lincoln Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
11.8 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
15.5 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
7
99.7 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
$16.07 one way
$32.14 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$18.09
$36.18
premium
$4.95
$19.48
$38.97
diesel
$5.98
$23.52
$47.04
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: 35 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30
0
$10.49
$4.80
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.74
$4.00
EV Truck/SUV
40
0
$13.99
$6.39
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 26, 2026
Origin
Richland, PA
Evening
in Richland on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Evening
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
5:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Palo Alto, PA
50 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
20 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 10m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 6.9
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?
You'll find this drive to be predominantly highway-focused, with 72% of the journey taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 59.6 miles on I 81, offering a consistent pace. While the primary roads are I 81 and PA 183, you'll also navigate Lancaster Avenue, indicating a mix of interstate travel and more local road segments. This character means you can anticipate periods of steady driving interspersed with transitions onto different types of roads.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and PA 183. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Race Street.
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 99.9 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (North Race Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (US 422 / East Lincoln Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 99.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Race Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (US 422 / East Lincoln Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
