Scranton, PA to Shiremanstown, PA is 129.4 miles and takes about 2h 37m via American Legion Memorial Highway and I 83, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Pennsylvania, traveling from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. Expect a route with a higher number of turns, suggesting a more local, less direct feel than a pure interstate journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this is a manageable drive for a single day.
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
64.7 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
8.3 mi
11m
American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway
3.3 mi
4m
River Street
0.9 mi
1m
Saint Johns Road
0.6 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Trindle Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Traffic on I-81
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,332 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,711
Quietest
2 AM
~304 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 49 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 Shiremanstown, 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
3.3 mi·4 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
0.1 mi·23 sec
Exit 4Toward PA 641: MechanicsburgUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward PA 641 JCT: Hampden Industrial ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto PA 641
0.2 mi·34 sec·Trindle Road
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Saint Johns Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Saint Johns Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Main Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 129.4-mile journey taking just under 2 hours and 40 minutes, starting your drive in the morning allows ample time to reach Shiremanstown without feeling rushed. With a fuel cost estimated around $21, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Scranton, as the longest stretch on local roads might make finding immediate refueling options less frequent. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying attentive to navigation is key, so a reliable GPS or map app is recommended. Given the manageable duration, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time, but planning to leave earlier maximizes your options for the day ahead.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.7 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 1h 17m 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shiremanstown, 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 129.4 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.4 and 128.1 — 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
7
127.9 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward PA 641: Mechanicsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward PA 641: Mechanicsburg
8
128.1 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 641 JCT: Hampden Industrial Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PA 641 JCT: Hampden Industrial Park
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.88 one way
$45.77 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$25.06
$50.13
premium
$5.24
$26.72
$53.43
diesel
$5.35
$27.26
$54.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.8
0
$13.59
$6.21
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.32
$5.18
EV Truck/SUV
51.8
0
$18.12
$8.28
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Evening
in Scranton on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shiremanstown, PA
Evening
in Shiremanstown on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 1 to 6 mph9% chanceLive forecast
57°F
New Philadelphia, PA
65 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
2 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 37m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 98.2
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 129.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only a 6% share of highway driving. You'll primarily navigate local roads, including segments of the American Legion Memorial Highway and the American Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.7 miles on the American Legion Memorial Highway, which indicates a significant portion of the drive will be on this particular road. Be prepared for frequent turns and a more varied driving experience as you transition between different local road networks.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 129.4 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,753 ft385 ft
Total Climb
1,221 ft
Total Descent
1,547 ft
Highest Point
1,753 ft
~46.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,368 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 Shiremanstown, PA, road signs begin pointing toward York 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 2h 37m. Total distance: 129.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m 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.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Shiremanstown, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Shiremanstown, PA before heading back.
