Origin
Rockdale, PA
Morning in Rockdale on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockdale, 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 33m
Distance
127.3 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockdale, PA
Chet Pichet
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This straightforward 127.3-mile drive from Rockdale, PA, to Scranton, PA, will take you about 2 hours and 33 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, with an estimated fuel cost of $21. The route is largely focused on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B in Pennsylvania's Northeast region. Consider this a functional journey where the focus is on reaching your destination with ease.
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
63.6 miles from Rockdale, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 94.9 mi | 1h 44m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 14.4 mi | 19m |
| I 81 | 8.2 mi | 9m |
| Media Bypass | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Baltimore Pike | 1 mi | 1m |
| River Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Lenni Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Pennell Road | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockdale, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Convent Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Convent Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Lungren Road
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Lungren Road
3
Turn right onto Lenni Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lenni Road
4
Turn straight onto PA 452
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Pennell Road
5
Turn right onto US 1
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Baltimore Pike
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Media Bypass
Toward US 1 North: Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 476: Plymouth Meeting, Chester
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 476 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 476
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
11
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
12
Continue on I 476; PATP
95 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
15
Merge onto PA 315
523 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chestnut Street
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
17
Merge onto I 81
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 81
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
19
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2.5-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and potentially lighter traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 94.9-mile stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, as services might be less frequent. This route is designed for efficiency, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.6 miles from Rockdale, PA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 20m 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 5m
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 Rockdale, 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 Rockdale, PA
This is one driving day of about 127.3 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Rockdale, 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 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.6 miles from Rockdale, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 127.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 1 / Media Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto US 1 / Media Bypass toward US 1 North: Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1 North: Springfield
7
6.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 476: Plymouth Meeting, Chester
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: Plymouth Meeting, Chester
8
6.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
6.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Turn left toward I 476 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 476 North
7
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
$21.10 one way
$42.21 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $23.11 | $46.23 |
| premium | $4.93 | $24.69 | $49.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.11 | $56.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $12.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(94.9 mi)
$12.34
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
$21
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.37 | $6.11 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.14 | $5.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.82 | $8.15 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:45AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 4:42AM EDT by NWS State College PA
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
12 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 33m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 17.6
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Independence National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$1
near mile 8.8
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 8.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 92% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll navigate segments of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, the Mid-County Expressway, and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 94.9 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, offering extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive characterized by speed and directness, rather than winding scenic byways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 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 Mid-County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near US 1 / Media Bypass.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 15 significant decision points across 127.3 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 3 miles (US 1 / Media Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rockdale, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward Chester and Scranton.
Chester
6.4 mi in
|
~12m
Scranton
116.5 mi in
|
~2h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 127.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.34 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.
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 3 miles (US 1 / Media Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, First State National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). 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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