Scranton to New Freedom is 166.1 miles and takes about 3h 25m via American Legion Memorial Highway and I 83, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, moving from the Northeast region down to the southern part of the state. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads for much of the way, interspersed with some interstate cruising. It’s a straightforward, manageable drive that can easily be completed in a single day, making it ideal for a quick transfer or a scenic day trip if you have extra time.
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
83 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
46.1 mi
58m
Constitution Avenue
1.7 mi
3m
South Main Street
1.1 mi
2m
River Street
0.9 mi
1m
East Forrest Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Lackawanna Avenue
0.2 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 New Freedom, 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 right at fork onto I 83
38 mi·46 min·I 83
Toward I 83 South: York, BaltimoreUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward PA 851: Shrewsbury
13
Keep slight right at fork
235 ft·7 sec
Toward PA 851: Shrewsbury
14
Turn straight onto PA 851
0.6 mi·1 min·East Forrest Avenue
15
Turn left onto PA 851 Truck
1.1 mi·2 min·South Main Street
16
Turn right onto PA 851 Truck
1.7 mi·3 min·Constitution Avenue
17
Turn right onto PA 851 Truck
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Main Street
18
Turn left onto Factory Alley
147 ft·10 sec·Factory Alley
19
Arrive at destination
Factory Alley
Trip Plan
For this 166.1-mile drive, leaving Scranton in the morning allows you to reach New Freedom within approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes, well before the evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $28, you have flexibility in your timing. Consider starting your trip after the morning rush hour to enjoy smoother local road conditions. Since this is a single-day trip, plan to monitor your fuel levels, especially during the 113.7-mile stretch on the American Legion Memorial Highway, to avoid needing an unplanned stop.
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 83 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 39m 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 83 miles or 1h 39m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Freedom, 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 166.1 miles and 3h 25m.
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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 162.5 — 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
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
8
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 83
Keep slight right at fork onto I 83 toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 83 South: York, Baltimore
6
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 851: Shrewsbury
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 851: Shrewsbury
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.54 one way
$55.07 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$30.16
$60.32
premium
$4.93
$32.21
$64.43
diesel
$5.61
$36.67
$73.35
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: 58.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Wilkes-Barre Township Commons - Tesla Supercharger
Wilkes-Barre Township, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Shell Station - Tesla Supercharger
Drums, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Laurel Mall - Tesla Supercharger
Hazleton, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace - Tesla Supercharger
Harrisburg, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Giant - Tesla Supercharger
Harrisburg, PA
Tesla
12 DCFC
Scranton, PA Rechargery @ Sheetz - Scranton Carbondale Hwy
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.8
0
$17.44
$7.97
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.53
$6.64
EV Truck/SUV
66.4
0
$23.25
$10.63
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 20, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Freedom, PA
Morning
in New Freedom on Tuesday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
South Lebanon, PA
83 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 25m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 97.4
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 126
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 28% of this 166.1-mile drive on highways, with the bulk of the travel on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 113.7 miles, primarily on the American Legion Memorial Highway. This means you'll experience a good amount of local traffic and varying speed limits as you navigate through towns and countryside. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable, requiring you to adjust to different driving conditions.
Only 28% 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 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 166.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.
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 New Freedom, PA, road signs point toward York and Baltimore.
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 25m. Total distance: 166.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m 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 New Freedom, 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at New Freedom, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
