Scranton to South Temple is 96 miles and takes about 2 hours and 6 minutes via Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and US 222, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania's Northeast region for its entirety. It's a relatively short drive, mostly on highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route efficient for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.9 miles from Scranton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Exit 56Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
16
Merge onto US 22
1.1 mi·1 min·Lehigh Valley Thruway
17
Merge onto I 78; US 22
1.8 mi·2 min·William Penn Highway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·46 sec
Exit 49AToward PA 100 South: TrexlertownUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto PA 100
0.7 mi·1 min·PA 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Schantz Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Schantz Road
21
Enter roundabout onto US 222
21 ft·0 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
22
Continue on US 222
0.6 mi·50 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
23
Continue on US 222
3.8 mi·5 min·Kutztown Road
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
5.9 mi·7 min·US 222
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto US 222
110 ft·1 sec·Allentown Pike
26
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·39 sec·Allentown Pike
27
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Kutztown Road
28
Continue on US 222
1.6 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
29
Enter roundabout onto US 222
97 ft·4 sec·Allentown Pike
30
Continue on US 222
0.4 mi·52 sec·Allentown Pike
31
Enter roundabout onto US 222
127 ft·5 sec·Allentown Pike
32
Continue on US 222
1.1 mi·1 min·Allentown Pike
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kutztown Road
34
Continue on US 222
0.5 mi·47 sec·Allentown Pike
35
Continue on US 222 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·Allentown Pike
36
Turn slight left onto Kutztown Road
0.3 mi·35 sec·Kutztown Road
37
Turn left onto Mount Laurel Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Mount Laurel Road
38
Turn right onto Frush Valley Road
0.6 mi·2 min·Frush Valley Road
39
Turn left onto Georgia Road
0.3 mi·1 min·Georgia Road
40
Arrive at destination
Georgia Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2-hour drive, it's best tackled in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to fill up on gas before you leave Scranton, as there are no specific stops noted for this route. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is a toll road, so be prepared for that expense. You can comfortably complete this drive without needing to break it up, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief stop at a service plaza on the Turnpike is an option. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach South Temple, as the final leg is on surface roads.
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 47.9 miles from Scranton, PA, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.9 miles or 57m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Temple, 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 95.8 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 57 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 72.1 — 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
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
6
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 476: Clarks Summit, Allentown
6
68.3 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 56
Toward I 78, US 22, PA 309: Allentown, Harrisbu...
7
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward PA 100 South: Trexlertown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.73 one way
$33.46 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$18.32
$36.64
premium
$5.20
$19.60
$39.20
diesel
$6.28
$23.67
$47.34
Estimated Tolls: $7.49
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(57 mi)$7.41
Lehigh Valley Thruway
(1.1 mi)$0.08
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
$17
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.7
0
$10.06
$4.60
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.38
$3.83
EV Truck/SUV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
NW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
South Temple, PA
Morning
in South Temple on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 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
6 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 6m 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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 92.5
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 66% of the 96 miles on major roads. The longest continuous highway stretch you'll encounter is 57 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like US 222. Expect a mix of cruising at highway speeds and navigating more local traffic as you get closer to your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 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 American Legion Memorial Highway. 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 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 25 significant decision points across 95.8 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 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,837 ft372 ft
Total Climb
2,665 ft
Total Descent
2,682 ft
Highest Point
1,837 ft
~20.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,465 ft
Notable High Points
1,837 ft at ~20.5 miles+523 ft prominence
1,280 ft at ~54.8 miles+632 ft prominence
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 South Temple, PA, road signs point toward Patp, Allentown and Harrisburg.
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
•Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel — railway station in Scranton, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 95.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $7.49 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 South Temple, 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 0.1 miles (Lackawanna Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. 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 South Temple, PA before heading back.
