Traveling the 125 miles from Scranton to Philadelphia is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. Since this trip stays entirely within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the transit between these two cities. Because the route relies on local infrastructure rather than interstates, you won't encounter the typical highway fatigue associated with long-distance travel. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend getaway, this drive offers a manageable pace that makes a round trip feasible in one day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.2 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Exit 16Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley ForgeUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 16AToward I 76 East: PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 76
13 mi·17 min·Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vine Street Expressway
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
313 ft·11 sec
Toward 15th Street, Central PhiladelphiaUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.4 mi·48 sec·North 15th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn slight left onto PA 611
379 ft·8 sec·South Penn Square
26
Keep slight left at fork onto South Penn Square
167 ft·2 sec·South Penn Square
27
Arrive at destination
South Penn Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with no mandatory stops scheduled, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan to keep your vehicle fueled before you leave, as the $20 cost estimate suggests a moderate consumption rate for the duration of the drive. Because you are navigating local roads rather than high-speed highways, factor in potential traffic lights and turning delays when calculating your arrival time. If you prefer a smoother experience, try to avoid peak local commuting hours when traffic on major local arteries like Cedar Avenue can be heavier. Keep your route navigation handy to ensure you stay on track through the various turn-heavy segments of the journey.
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 62.2 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, 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 124.5 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 95 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 123.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
109.7 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Valley Forge
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 16
Toward I 76 East, I 76 West: Philadelphia, Vall...
8
110 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 76 East: Philadelphia
8
123 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 676; US 30 / Vine Street Expressway toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 676 East, US 30 East: Central Philadel...
9
123.9 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 15th Street, Central Philadelphia
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.64 one way
$41.28 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$22.61
$45.21
premium
$4.93
$24.15
$48.29
diesel
$5.61
$27.49
$54.98
Estimated Tolls: $12.35
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(95 mi)$12.35
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
$21
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.07
$5.98
Efficient EV
31.1
0
$10.89
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.43
$7.97
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 16, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
Late night
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 15 mph1% chanceLive 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
49 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
2h 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route focuses on local navigation, utilizing Lackawanna Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and River Street to move you through the region. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 125-mile duration. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches to zone out on, as the longest segment is 0 miles on Lackawanna Avenue. This profile ensures a dynamic driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition between the local road network.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95 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 Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 124.5 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 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Philadelphia, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Valley Forge.
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 2h 27m. Total distance: 124.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.35 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 Philadelphia, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Philadelphia, PA before heading back.
