This 96.7-mile drive from Schwenksville, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under two hours. Designed as a single-day trip, it primarily utilizes the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this route offers an efficient way to travel between these two Northeast Pennsylvania locations. The drive is predominantly on major highways, offering a direct and uncomplicated passage for travelers looking to reach their destination without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.3 miles from Schwenksville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Given its short duration of just under two hours, this drive is best tackled in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning can help you avoid any potential rush hour traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. Plan for one main stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch on the Turnpike is quite substantial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $16 estimated cost reflects mostly highway driving. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a toll road, so have your E-ZPass or cash ready.
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 48.3 miles from Schwenksville, PA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.1 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 21 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 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 Schwenksville, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Schwenksville, PA
This is one driving day of about 96.7 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Schwenksville, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 74.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 96.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.8 mi into trip|~22m in|I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Turn right onto I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
85.9 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
5
86.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 315 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
5
86.9 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
7
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
$15.56 one way
$31.11 round trip
$4.09/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$17.51
$35.02
premium
$4.95
$18.86
$37.72
diesel
$5.98
$22.77
$45.53
Estimated Tolls: $9.63
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(74.1 mi)$9.63
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
$16
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
Efficient EV
24.2
0
$8.46
$3.87
EV Truck/SUV
38.7
0
$13.54
$6.19
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Schwenksville, PA
Evening
in Schwenksville on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Evening
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph3% chanceLive 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
47 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
1h 58m 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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric drive on this route, with 85% of the journey taking place on major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 74.1 miles on the Turnpike, allowing for consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions. While Upper Ridge Road offers a brief change of pace, the overall character is that of a fast-paced, efficient drive focused on covering ground. This isn't a winding country road adventure, but rather a direct connection between points.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.1 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in near I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
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 96.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 11.8 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Schwenksville, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Scranton along the way.
Scranton
85.9 mi in|~1h 44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 96.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $9.63 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles (I 476; PATP / Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension): Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (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.
