Scranton to Homer City is 240.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m via Keystone Shortway, American Legion Memorial Highway, and Dowler Highway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route primarily uses surface roads, making it a more scenic and potentially slower drive than a pure highway trip. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
120.5 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
139.4 mi
2h 30m
American Legion Memorial Highway
32.7 mi
39m
Dowler Highway
20.1 mi
23m
Mahaffey Grampian Highway
9.8 mi
11m
Route 286 Highway East
6.7 mi
7m
PA 286 Truck
5.2 mi
6m
Curwensville Grampian Road
4.7 mi
5m
Clearfield Shawville Highway
4.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 139.4 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,088 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,542
Quietest
2 AM
~193 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Scranton, PA and Homer City, 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 151BToward I-80 West: Bloomsburg
9
Merge onto I 80
139 mi·2 hr 30 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
11
Turn left onto PA 879
4.3 mi·6 min·Clearfield Shawville Highway
12
Turn left onto PA 879
2.0 mi·2 min·Clearfield Curwensville Highway
13
Continue on PA 879
0.4 mi·24 sec·Curwensville Grampain Highway
14
Continue on PA 879
2.6 mi·2 min·Curwensville Grampian Highway
15
Continue on PA 879
4.7 mi·5 min·Curwensville Grampian Road
16
Continue on PA 879
0.7 mi·47 sec·1st Street
17
Continue on US 219
9.8 mi·11 min·Mahaffey Grampian Highway
18
Continue on US 219
0.6 mi·39 sec·West Main Street
19
Continue on US 219; PA 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Colonel Drake Highway
20
Continue on US 219
515 ft·6 sec·Burnside - McGees Highway
21
Continue on US 219
4.2 mi·4 min·Burnside McGee Highway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286
20 mi·23 min·Dowler Highway
23
Continue on PA 286
6.7 mi·7 min·Route 286 Highway East
24
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck
1.0 mi·1 min·PA 286 Truck
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
25
Keep slight right at fork onto PA 286 Truck
4.1 mi·4 min·PA 286 Truck
Toward US 119 South: Blairsville
26
Continue on US 119; PA 56; US 422 Business
2.0 mi·2 min·Buffalo-Pittsburgh Highway
27
Turn right onto Lucerne Road Extension
0.1 mi·24 sec·Lucerne Road Extension
28
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 119 Highway South
0.3 mi·32 sec·Old US 119 Highway South
29
Continue on East Indiana Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Indiana Street
30
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Main Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 35m estimated duration, starting your drive in Scranton earlier in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight, especially if you prefer not to rush. Plan for your single stop to be around the halfway point, allowing for a break and potential fuel top-up, though the $40 fuel cost suggests it's not a major concern. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your GPS as you transition off the Keystone Shortway, as the surface road sections will require more attention to navigation and speed limits.
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 120.5 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.4 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Homer City, 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 240.9 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 139.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 232.9 — 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
5
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 879: Clearfield, Shawville
6
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|PA 286 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 286 Truck toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Punxsutawney, Blairsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.39 one way
$84.79 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$46.36
$92.72
premium
$5.23
$49.56
$99.13
diesel
$6.18
$58.60
$117.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.3
0
$25.29
$11.56
Efficient EV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
EV Truck/SUV
96.4
1
$33.73
$15.42
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Sunny
N 12 to 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Homer City, PA
Morning
in Homer City on Sunday
Local time
8:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
N 12 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 7:47AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
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
4h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 240.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a highway share of 5%, meaning most of your 240.9 miles will be on surface roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 139.4 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to other roads. Expect more frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The majority of the drive will feel like cruising through local landscapes rather than high-speed interstate travel.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.4 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 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 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 240.9 miles you will encounter 16 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,681 ft548 ft
Total Climb
2,597 ft
Total Descent
2,318 ft
Highest Point
1,681 ft
~154.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,133 ft
Notable High Points
1,605 ft at ~103.3 miles+801 ft prominence
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 Homer City, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Shawville along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 240.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.4 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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 Homer City, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Homer City, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
