Scranton to Kutztown is 82.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m via the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily within Pennsylvania's Northeast region. Expect a relatively quick journey with a high percentage of highway driving, making it an ideal option for a single-day excursion. The route is efficient for reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
16
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
17
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
21
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
22
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
23
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Kutztown Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
Toward KutztownUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on East Main Street
0.9 mi·1 min·East Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 43-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart Scranton mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow ample time for the drive. With only 82.6 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $14, extensive planning for stops isn't necessary, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Kutztown, especially after the 57-mile stretch on the Turnpike. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 41.3 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 miles or 49m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kutztown, 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 82.6 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Scranton, 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 57 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80.9 — 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
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
7
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
7
80.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|Kutztown Road
Keep slight right at fork onto Kutztown Road toward Kutztown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Kutztown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.69 one way
$27.39 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$15.00
$30.00
premium
$4.93
$16.02
$32.04
diesel
$5.61
$18.24
$36.47
Estimated Tolls: $7.49
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(57 mi)$7.41
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$14
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.8
0
$8.67
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.56
$5.29
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kutztown, PA
Late night
in Kutztown on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1h 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with about 70% of the route on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, including a continuous stretch of 57 miles. The American Legion Memorial Highway and Kutztown Road will also feature prominently. Expect a profile that is largely highway-focused, offering a steady pace for most of the journey.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 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 American Legion Memorial Highway. 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 82.6 miles you will encounter 18 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 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 Kutztown, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Harrisburg.
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.
Kutztown is a small town in the northeastern part of Berks County, in Pennsylvania Dutch Country between Reading and Allentown. It is home to about 5,100 year-round residents (2018), and to the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a public university whose 8,300 students make the town a busy place from late August to early May. In the summer months and during school breaks, the town is much quieter and dominated by locals.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 82.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.49 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 Kutztown, 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 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kutztown, PA before heading back.
