This 154.1-mile drive from Rye, PA to the City of Scranton, PA takes approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via American Legion Memorial Highway and I-83, with a smaller portion on South Queen Street. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, this route is budget-friendly. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local and less high-speed experience. Given its duration and nature, it’s best suited for a single day’s journey without the need for an overnight stop.
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
77.1 miles from Rye, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
34.1 mi
43m
South Queen Street
1.8 mi
3m
Ironstone Hill Road
1.2 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Ferree Hill Road
0.6 mi
1m
Hess Farm Road
0.5 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,332 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,711
Quietest
2 AM
~304 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Rye, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on PA 214
0.5 mi·1 min·Hess Farm Road
2
Continue on Honey Valley Road
440 ft·12 sec·Honey Valley Road
3
Turn slight left onto Ferree Hill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Ferree Hill Road
4
Turn straight onto Ironstone Hill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Ironstone Hill Road
5
Continue on PA 74
1.8 mi·3 min·South Queen Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
7
Merge onto I 83
30 mi·38 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 83
4.0 mi·5 min·I 83
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State CollegeUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·47 sec
Exit 51BToward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
10
Merge onto I 81
114 mi·2 hr 13 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
12
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 154.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. With a total duration of just over 3 hours and only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to be spontaneous. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $26 estimated cost suggests a moderate consumption rate. A good tip for this route is to be prepared for the "turn-heavy" nature; pay close attention to navigation, especially when transitioning from the longer 113.7-mile stretch on American Legion Memorial Highway to other segments.
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 77.1 miles from Rye, PA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.1 miles or 1h 39m 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 37m
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 Rye, 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 Rye, PA
This is one driving day of about 154.1 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Rye, 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 American Legion Memorial Highway for about 113.7 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 153.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.4 mi into trip|~9m in|I 83
Merge onto I 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.5 mi into trip|~48m in|I 83
Take the exit onto I 83 toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
38.5 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51B
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
5
39.1 mi into trip|~54m in|I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 81 / American Legion Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
153.9 mi into trip|~3h 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
$25.14 one way
$50.28 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$27.65
$55.29
premium
$4.86
$29.50
$59.01
diesel
$5.40
$32.78
$65.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
Efficient EV
38.5
0
$13.48
$6.16
EV Truck/SUV
61.6
0
$21.57
$9.86
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 25, 2026
Origin
Rye, PA
Morning
in Rye on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Rain
SE 14 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Rain Showers
SE 6 to 10 mph98% chanceLive forecast
39°F
East Hanover, PA
77 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 11m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 58.7
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 26.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for this 154.1-mile journey. Only 22% of the route utilizes highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time on roads with more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 113.7 miles on the American Legion Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to other road types. This blend of highway and local roads means you'll experience varied driving conditions throughout the 3-hour and 11-minute trip.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.7 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near I 83.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 11m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Rye, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward State College and Allentown.
State College
34.5 mi in|~48m|via I 83
Allentown
38.5 mi in|~53m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 154.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.7 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
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 4.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.5 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. 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 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
