Scranton to Rochester is 320.8 miles and takes about 6h 2m via Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Pennsylvania for its entirety, moving from the Northeast region towards the western part of the state. The profile suggests you'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate trip. If you're looking for a straightforward, single-day drive through the heart of PA, this route fits the bill.
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
160.4 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m 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
21.4 mi
23m
Mercer-New Wilmington Road
6.3 mi
8m
Constitution Boulevard
5.1 mi
6m
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 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,094 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,455
Quietest
2 AM
~184 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Rochester, 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
16 mi·17 min·Beaver Valley Expressway
Toward PittsburghUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward PA 51: Chippewa
25
Keep slight left at fork
150 ft·5 sec
26
Turn left onto PA 51
5.1 mi·6 min·Constitution Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Veterans Memorial Bridge
0.2 mi·17 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
28
Turn right onto PA 18; PA 65
0.5 mi·44 sec·65th Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
449 ft·10 sec
Toward Beaver, RochesterUse the slight left lane.
30
Continue on PA 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Delaware Avenue
31
Turn left onto PA 18
509 ft·8 sec·West Madison Street
32
Turn right onto PA 18
401 ft·8 sec·Brighton Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
PA 18
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, leaving Scranton in the morning should allow you to reach Rochester with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a mostly surface road profile, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move away from the Keystone Shortway, as the $57 budget is an estimate and surface roads can sometimes mean less frequent or more spread-out fuel stations. Consider planning your stop around the 243.9-mile mark on the Keystone Shortway to break up the longest segment of your trip.
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 160.4 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 2h 59m 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 71 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.4 miles or 2h 59m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochester, 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 320.8 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 320 — 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
6
319.5 mi into trip|~6h in|PA 18; PA 65 / 65th Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Turn right onto PA 18; PA 65 / 65th Infantry Division Memorial Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
320 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Take the exit toward Beaver, Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Beaver, Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.15 one way
$102.30 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$56.61
$113.21
premium
$4.81
$60.72
$121.45
diesel
$4.80
$60.57
$121.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.2
1
$33.68
$15.40
Efficient EV
80.2
0
$28.07
$12.83
EV Truck/SUV
128.3
1
$44.91
$20.53
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
NW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rochester, PA
Late night
in Rochester on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Smoke
0 mph0% 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
5 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
6h 2m 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 mostly surface roads, with only about 7% spent on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 243.9 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which is a significant portion of the drive. After that, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip, likely encountering more local traffic and varying speed limits. The profile indicates a mostly surface road experience, so plan for a less direct, more varied driving environment.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 320.8 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
2,214 ft544 ft
Total Climb
2,301 ft
Total Descent
2,259 ft
Highest Point
2,214 ft
~183.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,669 ft
Notable High Points
2,214 ft at ~183.3 miles+564 ft prominence
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 Rochester, 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 2m. Total distance: 320.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m 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.
Yes — we found about 36 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Rochester, 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rochester, PA before the return drive.
