Scranton to Franklin is 157 miles and takes about 3 hours and 19 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Pennsylvania Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll primarily be on toll roads for this trip, making it a straightforward option if you prefer consistent highway speeds. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
78.6 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Toward I 276 West: HarrisburgUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 276; PATP
13 mi·14 min·Pennsylvania Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 320Toward PA 29: Phoenixville, MalvernUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto PA 29
1.3 mi·2 min·North Morehall Road
19
Turn right onto Swedesford Road
0.3 mi·35 sec·Swedesford Road
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 202 South: West ChesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 202
9.9 mi·13 min·US 202
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 202; US 322
1.8 mi·3 min·US 202; US 322
23
Turn right onto PA 926
5.5 mi·10 min·West Street Road
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto PA 52
0.9 mi·1 min·Lenape Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto US 1
1.6 mi·2 min·East Baltimore Pike
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 1
7.3 mi·9 min·Kennett-Oxford Bypass
Toward Oxford, Rising SunUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward PA 841: West GroveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto PA 841; US 1 Alternate Truck
0.4 mi·51 sec·Chatham Road
29
Turn right onto PA 841; US 1 Alternate Truck
0.3 mi·42 sec·East Evergreen Street
30
Turn left onto PA 841
0.7 mi·1 min·Prospect Avenue
31
Continue on PA 841
2.8 mi·5 min·Wickerton Road
32
Turn right onto PA 841
3.1 mi·5 min·Chesterville Road
33
Turn left onto Peacedale Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Peacedale Road
34
Turn slight right onto Walker Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Walker Road
35
Arrive at destination
Walker Road
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 19 minute drive, leaving Scranton in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Franklin before evening. Since the total distance is only 157 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $26, you won't need to worry much about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch without a major break is 94.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, so plan your break before you begin that segment if needed. Given the manageable duration, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 78.6 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.1 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 157.3 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 94.1 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 119.4 — 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
8
10.5 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 476, I 81 North, PATP
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, I 81 North, PATP
6
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
6
105.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 276 West: Harrisburg
8
119.4 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 320
Toward PA 29: Phoenixville, Malvern
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.66 one way
$51.33 round trip
$4.14/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.56
$28.22
$56.44
premium
$4.86
$30.12
$60.23
diesel
$5.40
$33.46
$66.92
Estimated Tolls: $13.98
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(107.6 mi)$13.98
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
$26
Tolls
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.76
$6.29
EV Truck/SUV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
Gas CO2
55 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 26, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Evening
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
7:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Rain Showers
E 7 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Franklin, PA
Evening
in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
7:08 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain
NE 15 mph82% chanceLive forecast
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
2 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 19m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 113.9
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 135.6
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$1
near mile 108.5
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...
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 108.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 76% of the 157 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 94.1 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension before transitioning to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and then US 202. Expect a lot of exits and merges as you navigate these major arteries, especially on the toll road sections.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.1 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 Pennsylvania Turnpike. 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
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 26 significant decision points across 157.3 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Scranton, PA and Franklin, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown, Malvern, Oxford and Rising Sun.
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Peter's Cathedral — historic church in Pennsylvania, United States
•Steamtown National Historic Site — railroad museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania
•Albright Memorial Building — library in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Franklin is a city in Venango County, in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania. Franklin, Titusville and Oil City, make up the Oil Region. Although the town remains rather quiet, the oil boom has left the city with many historic buildings. The architectural features range from Victorian to Gothic Revival; it is said that all of the architectural styles used in the state from 1830 to 1930 can be observed in Franklin. The Appalachian Mountains and forests that surround the area also make it a popular destination for hikers and bikers looking to get out of the cities to experience nature.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 157.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.1 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $13.98 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.
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.
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 Franklin, 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
