Scranton to Midland is 328.6 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast region to itself. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a total duration under seven hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion. Consider this route if you prefer a less highway-intensive path and want to see more of Pennsylvania's towns and countryside.
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
164.3 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
243.9 mi
4h 22m
American Legion Memorial Highway
32.7 mi
39m
Beaver Valley Expressway
28.6 mi
30m
Mercer-New Wilmington Road
6.3 mi
8m
Midland Beaver Road
6.2 mi
12m
South New Castle Street
2.4 mi
4m
Steingrabe Road
1.2 mi
1m
Glen Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 243.9 mi, about 4h 22m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,070 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,484
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
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 Midland, 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
244 mi·4 hr 22 min·Keystone Shortway
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 15Toward US 19: Mercer
11
Keep slight right at fork
240 ft·7 sec
12
Turn straight onto US 19
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Erie Street
13
Turn left onto Steingrabe Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Steingrabe Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto PA 158
6.3 mi·8 min·Mercer-New Wilmington Road
15
Continue on PA 158
0.8 mi·1 min·North Market Street
16
Turn right onto Beechwood Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Beechwood Road
17
Turn left onto PA 158
2.4 mi·4 min·South New Castle Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto PA 18
0.8 mi·1 min·PA 18
19
Turn right onto Glen Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Glen Road
20
Turn right onto Mitchell Road
460 ft·8 sec·Mitchell Road
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
22
Merge onto I 376
5.0 mi·5 min·Beaver Valley Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376 Toll
24 mi·25 min·Beaver Valley Expressway
Toward PittsburghUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 38Toward PA 68: Beaver, MidlandUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
339 ft·8 sec
Toward PA 68 West: MidlandUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto PA 68
0.9 mi·1 min·State Street
27
Continue on PA 68
6.2 mi·12 min·Midland Beaver Road
28
Continue on PA 68; PA 168
0.3 mi·27 sec·Midland Avenue
29
Turn right onto 12th Street
49 ft·2 sec·12th Street
30
Arrive at destination
12th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 15m drive time, leaving Scranton in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Midland with time to spare. While the drive is manageable in one day, you're allowed one stop, so plan it strategically along the Keystone Shortway, which accounts for the longest stretch at 243.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the surface road portions where services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $55 should give you a good baseline for budgeting. Since this isn't an excessively long drive, you have flexibility to adjust your pace if needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.3 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.9 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 72 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.3 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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 328.6 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 243.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 321.2 — 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
279.4 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|Steingrabe Road
Turn left onto Steingrabe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
297.5 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|I 376 Toll / Beaver Valley Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 376 Toll / Beaver Valley Expressway toward Pittsburgh
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Pittsburgh
8
321 mi into trip|~6h in
Take the exit toward PA 68: Beaver, Midland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38
Toward PA 68: Beaver, Midland
8
321.2 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 68 West: Midland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 68 West: Midland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.90 one way
$109.81 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$60.43
$120.86
premium
$5.01
$64.84
$129.68
diesel
$5.60
$72.43
$144.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.6
1
$34.50
$15.77
Efficient EV
82.2
0
$28.75
$13.14
EV Truck/SUV
131.4
1
$46.00
$21.03
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Aug 28, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 3 mph52% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 27 at 9:48PM EDT until August 27 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 27 at 9:43PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Midland, PA
Late night
in Midland on Wednesday
Local time
1:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
N 0 to 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued August 27 at 9:48PM EDT until August 27 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 27 at 9:43PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 route is primarily surface roads, with highways making up only 9% of the total mileage. You'll spend most of your time on local and state routes, navigating through communities. The longest continuous stretch on a main road, the Keystone Shortway, covers 243.9 miles. Be prepared for a more stop-and-go experience in populated areas, with frequent intersections and lower speed limits compared to interstate driving.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 243.9 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 328.6 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 279.4 miles (Steingrabe Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 297.5 miles (I 376 Toll / Beaver Valley Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,752 ft538 ft
Total Climb
1,968 ft
Total Descent
1,933 ft
Highest Point
1,752 ft
~187.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,214 ft
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 Midland, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Pittsburgh 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 6h 15m. Total distance: 328.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 243.9 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.
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 Midland, 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 279.4 miles (Steingrabe Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 297.5 miles (I 376 Toll / Beaver Valley Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midland, PA before the return drive.
