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Trip from Scranton, PA to Bellwood, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 26m

Distance

179.9 mi

290 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 35m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Bellwood, PA, PA

Bellwood, PA

Thu Huynh

Trip Overview

Scranton to Bellwood is 180 miles and takes about 3.5 hours via the Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region from Scranton to Bellwood. Expect a route with frequent turns, making it more of a local exploration than a high-speed transit. With a recommended one-day drive time, this trip is well-suited for a leisurely pace, allowing you to appreciate the journey without feeling rushed. The overall travel experience leans towards engaging with the local roads.

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

90 miles from Scranton, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 98.5 mi 1h 47m
American Legion Memorial Highway 32.7 mi 39m
Jacksonville Road 24.2 mi 28m
I 99 20.5 mi 21m
River Street 0.9 mi 1m
Cedar Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Bellwood Road 0.3 mi <1m
Skelp Mountain Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 98.5 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scranton, PA and Bellwood, PA.

1

Start on Wyoming Avenue

0.1 mi · 38 sec · Wyoming Avenue
2

At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Lackawanna Avenue
3

Turn right onto CR 3023

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Cedar Avenue
4

Continue on Cedar Avenue

400 ft · 12 sec · Cedar Avenue
5

Turn left onto River Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · River Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
7

Merge onto I 81

33 mi · 39 min · American Legion Memorial Highway
8

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 151B Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
9

Merge onto I 80

99 mi · 1 hr 47 min · Keystone Shortway
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte
11

Turn left onto US 220; PA 26

24 mi · 28 min · Jacksonville Road
Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220

20 mi · 21 min · I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward PA 865 North
14

Turn right onto PA 865

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Skelp Mountain Road
15

Continue on PA 865

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Bellwood Road
16

Continue on PA 865

454 ft · 11 sec · East Logan Street
17

Turn right onto East 5th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · East 5th Street
18

Turn right onto East Walnut Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · East Walnut Street
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 3.5-hour duration, you have the flexibility to depart Scranton anytime that suits you. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the midpoint of your 180-mile journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off. Pay close attention to road signs, especially as you transition between the main roads and Jacksonville Road, to avoid missing any turns on this less highway-centric route.

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 90 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 40 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 90 miles or 1h 44m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellwood, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Scranton, 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 Scranton, PA

This is one driving day of about 179.9 miles and 3h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Scranton, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 98.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Carroll, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Carroll, PA

90 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

Hazleton, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Williamsport, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90 miles from Scranton, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 158.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lackawanna Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Lackawanna Avenue

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue

Turn right onto CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
34.4 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 151B Toward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
6
133.6 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefonte

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 161 Toward I 99 South, US 220 South, PA 26: Bellefo...
6
158.1 mi into trip | ~3h in | I 99; US 220

Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220 toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda, Altoona

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 99 South, US 220 South: Port Matilda,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.83 one way

$59.65 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $32.67 $65.33
premium $4.93 $34.89 $69.78
diesel $5.61 $39.72 $79.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54 0 $18.89 $8.64
Efficient EV 45 0 $15.74 $7.20
EV Truck/SUV 72 0 $25.19 $11.51

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 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 15, 2026

Origin

Scranton, PA

Late night in Scranton on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bellwood, PA

Late night in Bellwood on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Carroll, PA

90 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

29 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

3h 26m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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.

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

Johnstown Flood National Memorial

National Memorial

The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...

30 mi from route ~74 min detour Free near mile 179.9
Park Closure: North Abutment Overlook Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with only 11% of the journey on highways. You'll primarily navigate on roads like the Keystone Shortway and the American Legion Memorial Highway, interspersed with local stretches such as Jacksonville Road. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 98.5 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires constant attention due to the frequent changes in direction and road type.

Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Lackawanna Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 179.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 Scranton, PA to Bellwood, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Altoona along the way.

Altoona

158.1 mi in | ~3h | via I 99; US 220

About the Cities

Starting in Scranton, PA

Full guide →

Scranton is a city in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is near Wilkes-Barre, and is the seventh most populous city in the state. Today, it is perhaps best known as the setting of the hit TV show "The Office" and the birthplace of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 26m. Total distance: 179.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (11%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.5 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (CR 3023 / Cedar Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Bellwood, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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