Traveling from Spring Grove to Scranton covers 157 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating through the Northeast corner of Pennsylvania, you will primarily follow North Main Street, Hanover Road, and West Market Street. Expect a practical, steady pace as you transition between these local thoroughfares. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer avoiding the monotony of major interstates in favor of a more hands-on, local driving experience.
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
78 miles from Spring Grove, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
27.7 mi
35m
US 30
5.6 mi
9m
Hanover Road
2.6 mi
4m
North Main Street
1.9 mi
4m
West Market Street
1.1 mi
2m
River Street
1 mi
1m
North George Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
American Legion Memorial Highway
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spring Grove, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on West Constitution Avenue
64 ft·8 sec·West Constitution Avenue
2
Turn left onto PA 116
0.6 mi·2 min·North Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto PA 116
124 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
4
Continue on PA 116
1.3 mi·2 min·North Main Street
5
Continue on PA 116
2.6 mi·4 min·Hanover Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto US 30
1.1 mi·2 min·West Market Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 30
5.6 mi·9 min·US 30
Toward US 30 East: Lancaster
8
Turn sharp left onto I 83 BUS; PA 181
1.0 mi·1 min·North George Street
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 83: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 83
24 mi·29 min·I 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 83
4.0 mi·5 min·I 83
Toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State CollegeUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·47 sec
Exit 51BToward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
13
Merge onto I 81
114 mi·2 hr 13 min·American Legion Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
15
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
18
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
19
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, plan your departure for a time when you feel sharp and ready to navigate frequent intersections and road changes. You have the flexibility of a single planned stop along the way to stretch your legs, which is a good idea given the technical nature of the road. Aim to keep your fuel tank topped off before leaving Spring Grove to avoid hunting for stations while navigating local turn-heavy corridors. Because you won't be relying on high-speed interstates, allow for a little extra time if you encounter local traffic or construction. The best strategy here is to embrace the local pace and keep your focus on the road ahead.
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 78 miles from Spring Grove, PA, or about 1h 43m 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 34 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 43m 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 42m
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 Spring Grove, 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 Spring Grove, PA
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Spring Grove, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.2 and 155.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.2 mi into trip|~21m in|I 83 BUS; PA 181 / North George Street
Turn sharp left onto I 83 BUS; PA 181 / North George Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
12.4 mi into trip|~23m in|I 83
Merge onto I 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
36.1 mi into trip|~53m in|I 83
Take the exit onto I 83 toward I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State College
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 I 83 North, US 322 West: Hazleton, State...
6
40.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51B
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton, Allentown
7
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|Cedar Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.88 one way
$51.76 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$28.34
$56.69
premium
$4.93
$30.27
$60.55
diesel
$5.61
$34.46
$68.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.66
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.85
$9.99
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Spring Grove, PA
Morning
in Spring Grove on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scranton, PA
Morning
in Scranton on Tuesday
Local time
8:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
N 8 mph15% chanceLive forecast
61°F
South Lebanon, PA
78 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
9 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
3h 17m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 59.2
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 32.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the mindless cruise control settings of a highway trip, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy, local character. You won't find any significant stretches of open highway, as the highway share for this 157-mile trip is 0%. Instead, you will be navigating constant shifts in direction, particularly along North Main Street where there is no "longest stretch" of uninterrupted road. The drive demands your full attention, keeping you engaged with the local geography rather than just putting miles behind you. Prepare for a technical experience that requires frequent adjustments and a steady hand on the wheel throughout the duration.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near I 83 BUS; PA 181 / North George Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (I 83 BUS; PA 181 / North George Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,703 ft374 ft
Total Climb
1,505 ft
Total Descent
1,234 ft
Highest Point
1,703 ft
~111.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,329 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spring Grove, PA and Scranton, PA, road signs point toward State College and Allentown.
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 3h 17m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Scranton, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (I 83 BUS; PA 181 / North George Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles (I 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
