This 72-mile drive from Scranton to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 32 minutes. With a highway share of 73%, it's a predominantly highway-focused route, making it ideal as a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $12, which is quite budget-friendly. Both Scranton and Bethlehem are located in Pennsylvania's Northeast region, so you'll remain within familiar territory for the entire trip. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two cities without requiring an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
PA 33
24.8 mi
31m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Keystone Shortway
8.5 mi
11m
Easton Avenue
4.4 mi
7m
I 84
3.4 mi
4m
American Legion Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
1m
President Biden Expressway
0.6 mi
<1m
William Penn Highway
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
PA 33
— 24.8 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scranton, PA and Bethlehem, 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·28 sec·Cedar Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
5
Merge onto President Biden Expressway
0.6 mi·52 sec·President Biden Expressway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward I 81 North: Binghamton
7
Merge onto I 81
1.5 mi·1 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I-84 east, US 6 east
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mt Pocono, Milford
11
Merge onto I 84; I 380
3.4 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
8.5 mi·11 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 302AToward PA 33 South: SnydersvilleUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto PA 33
25 mi·31 min·PA 33
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward William Penn HighwayUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto William Penn Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·William Penn Highway
19
Continue on Easton Avenue
4.4 mi·7 min·Easton Avenue
20
Turn left onto Linden Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Linden Street
21
Arrive at destination
Linden Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 32-minute duration, this drive is perfect for a spontaneous day trip. Leaving Scranton in the morning allows you to arrive in Bethlehem with plenty of time for activities. There are no recommended stops built into this route, but with only 72 miles, you can easily pull over if needed without significantly impacting your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be the 24.8 miles on PA 33. The total fuel cost is estimated at a low $12, so filling up before you leave Scranton is a sensible approach.
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 36 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.8 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 43m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethlehem, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scranton, PA
This is one driving day of about 72 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Scranton, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on PA 33 for about 24.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 41.1 — 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
6
4.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mt Pocono, Milford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mt Pocono, Milfo...
6
7.9 mi into trip|~11m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
6
31.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
7
41.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward PA 33 South: Snydersville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 302A
Toward PA 33 South: Snydersville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.94 one way
$23.87 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$13.07
$26.15
premium
$4.93
$13.96
$27.93
diesel
$5.61
$15.90
$31.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.56
$3.46
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.30
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bethlehem, PA
Late night
in Bethlehem on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 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
45 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 32m 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.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Situated within the most densely populated region of the United States, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history,...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$10
near mile 42.2
Park Closure: Old Mine Road North Construction Closure Begins April 6, 2026
Park Closure: Dingmans Falls Trail, Road, and Access Closed for Bridge Replacement
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 72-mile trip. Approximately 73% of the drive will be on major roadways, including sections of PA 33 and I-380. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 24.8 miles on PA 33, offering a consistent pace. While not a winding, scenic byway, this route prioritizes directness and efficiency, allowing you to cover ground smoothly. The character of the drive is primarily about getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss, utilizing well-maintained highways.
73% 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: 24.8 mi on PA 33.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on PA 33 and I 380. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Lackawanna Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72 miles you will encounter 17 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 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (I 380): 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.
Between Scranton, PA and Bethlehem, PA, road signs point toward Milford and William Penn Highway.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 72 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.8 miles on PA 33. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bethlehem, 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 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 Bethlehem, PA before heading back.
