This 147.7-mile drive from Summerhill, PA to the City of Scranton, PA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. You'll primarily use I-81, PA-183, and Beaver Valley Pike, with about half of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for exploring Pennsylvania's Northeast region. This route offers a mixed driving experience, making it suitable for a single-day adventure without the need for an overnight stop.
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
73.8 miles from Summerhill, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
59.6 mi
1h 10m
PA 183
9.9 mi
15m
Beaver Valley Pike
6.9 mi
9m
Stiegel Pike
6 mi
6m
Lancaster Avenue
5.5 mi
6m
South College Street
5.5 mi
6m
Lititz Pike
5 mi
8m
Joseph H. Long Boulevard
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 59.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summerhill, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Pine Grove Road
49 ft·3 sec·Pine Grove Road
2
Turn right onto PA 272
2.0 mi·3 min·Nottingham Road
3
Turn right onto Green Lane
0.5 mi·1 min·Green Lane
4
Turn right onto Little Britain Road North
4.0 mi·7 min·Little Britain Road North
5
Turn straight onto US 222
4.2 mi·6 min·Robert Fulton Highway
6
Continue on US 222
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Church Street
7
Turn left onto West 4th Street
1.0 mi·1 min·West 4th Street
8
Continue on US 222
6.9 mi·9 min·Beaver Valley Pike
9
Turn right onto Penn Grant Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Penn Grant Road
10
Continue on Lampeter Road
4.6 mi·8 min·Lampeter Road
11
Continue on Pitney Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Pitney Road
12
Turn right onto Hempstead Road
0.4 mi·52 sec·Hempstead Road
13
Turn right onto Greenfield Road
396 ft·7 sec·Greenfield Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward US 30 West
15
Merge onto US 30
2.1 mi·2 min·US 30
16
Take the exit onto US 222
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 222
Toward PA 501, PA 272 North
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222
0.4 mi·44 sec·US 222
Toward PA 501
18
Turn right onto PA 501
5.0 mi·8 min·Lititz Pike
19
Continue on PA 501
1.7 mi·2 min·South Broad Street
20
Continue on PA 501
2.4 mi·3 min·Furnace Hills Pike
21
Continue on PA 501
4.2 mi·4 min·Furnace Hill Pike
22
Continue on PA 501
6.0 mi·6 min·Stiegel Pike
23
Continue on PA 501
5.5 mi·6 min·South College Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on PA 501
4.1 mi·4 min·Lancaster Avenue
25
Continue on PA 501
1.2 mi·1 min·Lancaster Avenue
26
Continue on PA 501
0.2 mi·31 sec·Lancaster Avenue
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
28
Merge onto I 78; US 22
3.5 mi·4 min·William Penn Highway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 17Toward PA 419: RehrersburgUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn left onto PA 419
1.9 mi·2 min·Four Point Road
31
Turn left onto PA 183
9.9 mi·15 min·PA 183
32
Turn right onto PA 183
0.7 mi·2 min·Pottsville Street
33
Turn left onto PA 61
2.9 mi·3 min·Route 61 South
34
Continue on PA 61
0.3 mi·18 sec·Pottsville Boulevard
35
Continue on PA 61
1.5 mi·2 min·South Claude A. Lord Boulevard
36
Continue on PA 61
1.0 mi·1 min·Pottsville Saint Clair Highway
37
Continue on PA 61
4.8 mi·5 min·Joseph H. Long Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 North: Hazleton
39
Merge onto I 81
60 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 81
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
41
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
42
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 20 minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Summerhill to maximize your daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $24, you have flexibility in how you manage your time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 59.6-mile stretch of I-81, as services can be spaced out. This route is well-suited for a single day, so take advantage of that by not rushing and enjoying the changing scenery as you approach Scranton.
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 73.8 miles from Summerhill, PA, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.6 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 32 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 48m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Summerhill, 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 Summerhill, PA
This is one driving day of about 147.7 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Summerhill, 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 I 81 for about 59.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.5 and 147.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
28.5 mi into trip|~46m in|US 222
Take the exit onto US 222 toward PA 501, PA 272 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 501, PA 272 North
5
28.8 mi into trip|~47m in|US 222
Keep slight left at fork onto US 222 toward PA 501
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 501
7
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 78 East, US 22 East: Allentown
7
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward PA 419: Rehrersburg
7
147.5 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
$24.49 one way
$48.97 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.82
$53.64
premium
$4.93
$28.64
$57.29
diesel
$5.61
$32.61
$65.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 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
44.3
0
$15.51
$7.09
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.68
$9.45
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Summerhill, PA
Morning
in Summerhill on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
N 8 mph13% chanceLive forecast
70°F
South Lebanon, PA
74 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
28 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 20m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 56
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this route, with 51% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 59.6 miles on I-81, offering a chance for consistent progress. The drive transitions between faster highway sections and potentially more local road segments as you navigate using PA-183 and Beaver Valley Pike. This mixed profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip, offering a dynamic feel behind the wheel.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.6 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.5 miles in near US 222.
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 22 significant decision points across 147.7 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 28.5 miles (US 222): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles (US 222): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 147.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.6 miles on I 81. 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 City of 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 28.5 miles (US 222): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.8 miles (US 222): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail and First State National Historical Park. 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 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
