Spanning 169.9 miles across Pennsylvania, this journey from Scranton to Mount Pleasant typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes of driving time. Because the route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is best approached as a focused day trip. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel, though this will fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Navigating through the Northeast region requires your full attention since the entire drive consists of local surface streets. It is a straightforward trip that avoids the monotony of major highways, making it a manageable trek for those who prefer staying off the turnpikes.
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
84.9 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
US 15
34.2 mi
44m
I 83
8.3 mi
11m
Baltimore Pike
7 mi
11m
American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
2 mi
2m
North Queen Street
1.2 mi
3m
River Street
0.9 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scranton, PA and Mount Pleasant, 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
114 mi·2 hr 13 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 70Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisburg, YorkUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on I 83; US 322
3.7 mi·5 min·I 83; US 322
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83
4.6 mi·6 min·I 83
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, YorkUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581
2.0 mi·2 min·American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Exit 41AToward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, GettysburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 5B-AToward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp HillUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward US 15 South: GettysburgUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 15
34 mi·44 min·US 15
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward PA 97Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto PA 97
6.6 mi·10 min·Baltimore Pike
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on PA 97
1.2 mi·3 min·North Queen Street
18
Continue on PA 97
0.4 mi·41 sec·Baltimore Pike
19
Arrive at destination
PA 97
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 35-minute drive, plan to depart early in the morning to account for the frequent turns and lower speeds inherent to local road travel. You should factor in at least one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the continuous nature of local driving can be more demanding than highway cruising. Keep your fuel budget of $27 in mind, but remember that local roads often mean more frequent stops for gas and supplies compared to long-distance highway routes. The key to success on this trip is embracing the flexibility of a local route; don't rush the navigation through the various town streets. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying heavily on local road markers for the duration of your trip.
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 84.9 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.9 miles or 1h 41m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 169.9 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 American Legion Memorial Highway for about 113.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.4 and 126.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisburg, York
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 83 South, US 322 East: South Harrisbur...
8
120 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 83
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 83 South: Harrisburg, York
9
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41A
Toward PA 581 West: Camp Hill, Gettysburg
8
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: Gettysburg, Camp Hill
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 5B-A
Toward US 15 South, US 11 North, US 15 North: G...
8
126.8 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 15 South: Gettysburg
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward US 15 South: Gettysburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.17 one way
$56.33 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$30.85
$61.70
premium
$4.93
$32.95
$65.90
diesel
$5.61
$37.51
$75.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.84
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.87
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.79
$10.87
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 13, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Rain Showers
SW 15 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 5:13AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Mount Pleasant, PA
Late night
in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
12 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
3h 35m 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.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 93.7
Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument
National Monument
More than 7,800 children from 140 Tribes went to the Carlisle School from 1879 to 1918. The National Park Service will collaborate with families, affiliated Tribal Nations, the US Army, historians, an...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 134.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience as you navigate exclusively on local roads like Lackawanna Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and River Street. With a 0% highway share, you won’t find any long, uninterrupted stretches of asphalt, as the longest segment of the drive is 0 miles on Lackawanna Avenue. This is a technical, hands-on drive that requires constant engagement rather than cruise control. Because you are avoiding major highways, the road profile remains consistent and intimate throughout the entire 169.9-mile journey. Prepare for a steady, rhythmic pace that contrasts sharply with the high-speed transit typically found on interstate travel.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.7 mi on American Legion Memorial Highway.
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 115.4 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 169.9 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 115.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120 miles (I 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Mount Pleasant, PA, road signs point toward York, Gettysburg and Camp Hill.
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 3h 35m. Total distance: 169.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.7 miles on American Legion Memorial Highway. 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 115.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120 miles (I 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (PA 581 / American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Mount Pleasant, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
