This 114.1-mile drive from Wayne, PA to Scranton, PA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Given its relatively short duration, it's ideal as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so it’s quite budget-friendly. You'll primarily be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I-81, with a small portion on the Mid-County Expressway. This route keeps you within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, offering a simple and direct path between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.1 miles from Wayne, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
For this 2-hour, 13-minute drive, departing mid-morning is often a good strategy to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the Philadelphia area before you hit the turnpike. Since the longest stretch without a significant change is nearly 95 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly, though at $19 for fuel, it’s an economical trip. The route is primarily interstate, so keep an eye out for electronic toll signs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if you haven't opted for an E-ZPass. Given the short distance, you have a lot of flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs.
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 57.1 miles from Wayne, PA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 7m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Wayne, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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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 Wayne, PA
This is one driving day of about 114.1 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Wayne, 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 94.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 476 Northbound: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 476 Northbound: Plymouth Meeting
5
103.3 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward PA 315, I 81: Pittston, Scranton
5
104 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight right at fork toward PA 315 North: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward PA 315 North: Scranton
5
104.3 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Scranton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 81 North: Scranton
7
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$18.92 one way
$37.83 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$20.72
$41.44
premium
$4.93
$22.13
$44.26
diesel
$5.61
$25.19
$50.38
Estimated Tolls: $12.34
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(94.9 mi)$12.34
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
$19
Tolls
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.2
0
$11.98
$5.48
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.98
$4.56
EV Truck/SUV
45.6
0
$15.97
$7.30
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Wayne, PA
Night
in Wayne on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Night
in City of Scranton on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live 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
25 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
2h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...
The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...
Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 3.9
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 predominantly highway experience, with 96% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 94.9 miles, meaning you'll encounter long, consistent stretches of high-speed driving. While the majority of the route is highway-focused, the transition onto I-81 and the brief segment on the Mid-County Expressway provide slight variations. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing for steady progress without frequent slowdowns or complex navigation.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and I 81. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 114.1 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 Wayne, PA to City of Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Scranton along the way.
Scranton
103.3 mi in|~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 114.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $12.34 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.
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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Valley Forge National Historical Park, Independence National Historical Park and Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (4 total within detour distance). 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 City of Scranton, PA before heading back.
