This 241.9-mile journey from Sheffield to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a smaller portion on PA 948, and anticipate a fuel cost around $40. The drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, suggesting you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on long, straightaways. This route is firmly within the Northeast region, keeping you within the same general geographic area throughout your trip. It's a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing for a relatively straightforward travel day.
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
120.9 miles from Sheffield, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
148.6 mi
2h 40m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Hoovertown Road
5 mi
8m
Penfield Road
3.7 mi
6m
PA 66
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 148.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,116 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,517
Quietest
2 AM
~188 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 Sheffield, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on this road
197 ft·7 sec·this road
Toward PA 666 West
2
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
4
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
5
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
6
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
8
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
9
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
10
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
12
Merge onto I 80
149 mi·2 hr 40 min·Keystone Shortway
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
14
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
16
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
19
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
20
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
With a duration of under five hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach Scranton. While the drive is not excessively long, planning for one stop is recommended to break up the 241.9 miles and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $40 for the trip. A specific tip for this route: be extra mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the local road segments, especially those on PA 948, and ensure your GPS is set to avoid toll roads if that's your preference.
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 120.9 miles from Sheffield, PA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.6 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 53 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.9 miles or 2h 40m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sheffield, 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 Sheffield, PA
This is one driving day of about 241.9 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Sheffield, 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 148.6 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 10.9 and 241.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
10.9 mi into trip|~17m in|PA 66
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
Navigation decision point
5
207 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
241.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|Biden Street
Turn left onto Biden Street
Navigation decision point
5
241.9 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|Wyoming Avenue
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.57 one way
$77.14 round trip
$4.05/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.48
$42.68
$85.37
premium
$4.81
$45.79
$91.58
diesel
$4.80
$45.68
$91.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.6
0
$25.40
$11.61
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.17
$9.68
EV Truck/SUV
96.8
1
$33.87
$15.48
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Sheffield, PA
Morning
in Sheffield on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 6 to 9 mph92% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:42AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 6 to 12 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:49AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 18 at 9:42AM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Pittsburgh PA
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive that is more about navigating local roads than extended highway cruising, with only 24% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 148.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, offering a period of more consistent travel. Beyond that, the profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for a route that requires your attention with frequent changes in direction. This suggests a more engaging driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate experience, as you'll be more closely connected to the local landscape.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near PA 66.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 58m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (PA 66): Navigation decision point; at 207 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 241.3 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 148.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (PA 66): Navigation decision point; at 207 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 241.3 miles (Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
