Planning a trip from Weigelstown, PA to the City of Scranton, PA? This 147.8-mile journey will take you approximately 3 hours and 2 minutes to complete. It's well within the range for a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $25, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll primarily navigate on roads like the American Legion Memorial Highway and I-83, with a smaller portion on Church Road. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent changes in direction as you make your way through Pennsylvania's Northeast region.
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
73.9 miles from Weigelstown, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
American Legion Memorial Highway
113.7 mi
2h 13m
I 83
26.2 mi
33m
Church Road
4.5 mi
8m
Carlisle Road
1.1 mi
1m
River Street
1 mi
1m
Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Farmtrail Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Alta Vista Road
<0.1 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 Weigelstown, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Alta Vista Road
88 ft·8 sec·Alta Vista Road
2
Continue on Alta Vista Road
70 ft·11 sec·Alta Vista Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto PA 74
1.1 mi·1 min·Carlisle Road
4
Turn left onto PA 238
1.9 mi·3 min·Church Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto PA 238
257 ft·8 sec·Church Road
6
Continue on PA 238
2.2 mi·4 min·Church Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto PA 238
0.2 mi·18 sec·Farmtrail Road
8
Continue on PA 238
0.4 mi·37 sec·Church Road
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 83 North: Harrisburg
10
Merge onto I 83
22 mi·27 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
0.2 mi·18 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given this route's 3-hour duration, it's ideal for a day trip, offering flexibility for when you want to depart. Consider an early morning start to maximize your time in Scranton or a mid-morning departure to avoid potential rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or skip it altogether if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move away from major highways; the estimated cost is $25, but it's always wise to have a little extra. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage, particularly when transitioning from the American Legion Memorial Highway to I-83, as this is a key point where the road character shifts.
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 73.9 miles from Weigelstown, PA, or about 1h 33m 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 33 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 33m 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 29m
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 Weigelstown, 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 Weigelstown, PA
This is one driving day of about 147.8 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Weigelstown, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 147.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|PA 74 / Carlisle Road
At end of road, turn left onto PA 74 / Carlisle Road
Navigation decision point
5
3 mi into trip|~5m in|PA 238 / Church Road
At end of road, turn left onto PA 238 / Church Road
Navigation decision point
7
28.2 mi into trip|~39m 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
32.2 mi into trip|~44m 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
147.6 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
$24.50 one way
$49.01 round trip
$4.21/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$26.84
$53.67
premium
$4.93
$28.66
$57.33
diesel
$5.61
$32.63
$65.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
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
$15.52
$7.09
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.93
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
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 16, 2026
Origin
Weigelstown, PA
Morning
in Weigelstown on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning
in City of Scranton on Sunday
Local time
8:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 9 mph3% chanceLive forecast
42°F
East Franklin, 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
40 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 2m 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 51
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 20.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a dynamic driving experience, characterized by its "turn-heavy local drive" profile. With only 18% of the journey on highways, expect a significant amount of time on local roads, punctuated by frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.7 miles along the American Legion Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to local routes. This mix means you'll be actively engaged behind the wheel, navigating through various communities and road types as you progress toward Scranton.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near PA 74 / Carlisle Road.
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 147.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (PA 74 / Carlisle Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (PA 238 / Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.2 miles (I 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Weigelstown, PA and City of Scranton, PA, road signs point toward State College and Allentown.
State College
28.2 mi in|~39m|via I 83
Allentown
32.2 mi in|~44m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 147.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (18%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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: near the start (PA 74 / Carlisle Road): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (PA 238 / Church Road): Navigation decision point; at 28.2 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 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at City of Scranton, PA, but most travelers stay overnight.
