West Newton, PA to Scranton, PA is 279.8 miles and takes about 5h 36m via Keystone Shortway and I-99, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, connecting two points in the Northeast region. The route uses a mix of highway and surface roads, offering a varied driving experience. Given its duration and distance, it's a manageable one-day drive, making it a convenient option for getting across the state.
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
139.9 miles from West Newton, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
99.3 mi
1h 47m
I 99
57.2 mi
1h 4m
William Penn Highway
51 mi
1h 6m
I 81
32.4 mi
39m
Admiral Peary Highway
13.7 mi
19m
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
8.5 mi
9m
State Route 136
5.3 mi
7m
Greensburg Pike
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 99.3 mi, about 1h 47m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,120 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,611
Quietest
2 AM
~194 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 West Newton, PA and Scranton, PA.
1
Start on South 2nd Street
34 ft·5 sec·South 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto PA 136
0.6 mi·50 sec·East Main Street
3
Continue on PA 136
0.4 mi·36 sec·Mount Pleasant Road
4
Turn left onto PA 136
3.2 mi·4 min·Greensburg Pike
5
Continue on PA 136
2.7 mi·4 min·West Newton Road
6
Turn left onto PA 136
0.2 mi·18 sec·Main Street
7
Continue on PA 136
5.3 mi·7 min·State Route 136
8
Turn right onto West Newton Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·West Newton Street
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·54 sec
10
Merge onto PA Tpke 66
8.5 mi·9 min·Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
11
Continue on PA 66
0.3 mi·35 sec·PA 66
Use the right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 22 East: BlairsvilleUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 22
34 mi·47 min·William Penn Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 22
14 mi·19 min·Admiral Peary Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 22
17 mi·19 min·William Penn Highway
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·45 sec·this road
Toward I 99, US 220: Altoona, Bedford
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
18
Merge onto I 99; US 220
41 mi·44 min·I 99; US 220
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
4.0 mi·4 min·I 99; US 220; US 322
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220
12 mi·14 min·I 99; US 220
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Bellefonte
21
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: WilliamsportUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 80; US 220
99 mi·1 hr 47 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 260BToward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
24
Merge onto I 81
32 mi·39 min·I 81
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward PA 307
26
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi·1 min·River Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on Adams Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·Adams Avenue
29
Turn left onto Biden Street
0.2 mi·25 sec·Biden Street
30
Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue
135 ft·4 sec·Wyoming Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Wyoming Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5h 36m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. The route is best completed in one day, so you can afford to be flexible with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway stretches, as services might be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is around $46, so plan accordingly. A good tip for this route is to note the transition point from the Keystone Shortway to other roads; that's often a good time to consider a fuel or break stop if needed.
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 139.9 miles from West Newton, PA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.3 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 62 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 miles or 2h 56m 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 34m
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 West Newton, 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 West Newton, PA
This is one driving day of about 279.8 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from West Newton, 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 99.3 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.8 and 279.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
21.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward US 22 East: Blairsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 22 East: Blairsville
6
87.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 99 North, US 220 North: Altoona
6
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 99; US 220; US 322
Keep slight left at fork onto I 99; US 220; US 322
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
145.4 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Turn left toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 80 East, US 220 North: Williamsport
7
279.2 mi into trip|~5h 35m 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
$48.87 one way
$97.73 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$53.50
$107.01
premium
$5.20
$57.24
$114.48
diesel
$6.28
$69.13
$138.27
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass
(8.5 mi)$0.59
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
$49
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.38
$13.43
Efficient EV
70
0
$24.48
$11.19
EV Truck/SUV
111.9
1
$39.17
$17.91
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
West Newton, PA
Late night
in West Newton on Saturday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA
Destination
Scranton, PA
Late night
in Scranton on Saturday
Local time
4:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 18 at 10:42PM EDT until October 19 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS State College 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
4 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
5h 36m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Johnstown Flood National Memorial
National Memorial
The South Fork Dam failed on Friday, May 31, 1889, and unleashed 20,000,000 tons of water that devastated Johnstown, PA. The flood killed 2,209 people but it brought the nation and the world together...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 67.5
On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their live...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 57.9
The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this 279.8-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 99.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a mixed driving experience with moments of cruising on faster roads and segments on surface streets. The highway portion means you'll likely see longer stretches without many exits, punctuated by more frequent stops as you move onto surface roads.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 21.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 279.8 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 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,363 ft521 ft
Total Climb
3,100 ft
Total Descent
3,120 ft
Highest Point
2,363 ft
~80 mi in
Elevation Range
1,842 ft
Notable High Points
1,463 ft at ~179.9 miles+685 ft prominence
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 West Newton, PA to Scranton, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bedford along the way.
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
•Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel — railway station in Scranton, the United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 279.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass. 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.
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 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.1 miles (I 99; US 220; US 322): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Flight 93 National Memorial and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scranton, PA before the return drive.
