Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Wrightsville, PA to City of Scranton, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
272.4 mi
438 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 34m
★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wrightsville, PA
Wikimedia Commons
City of Scranton, PA
Michael Taccetta
Trip Overview
This 272.4-mile journey from Wrightsville to Scranton, Pennsylvania, is estimated to take around 5 hours and 47 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a portion on PA 948, offering a blend of highway driving and local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this drive through Pennsylvania's Northeast region is a straightforward option for a single day's travel. Planning for one stop is recommended to break up the drive.
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
136.2 miles from Wrightsville, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 148.6 mi | 2h 40m |
| I 81 | 32.4 mi | 39m |
| PA 948 | 23.8 mi | 35m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 15.5 mi | 22m |
| Boot Jack Road | 11.2 mi | 16m |
| Warren Bypass | 8.6 mi | 12m |
| State Park Road | 8.1 mi | 14m |
| Hoovertown Road | 5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 148.6 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,116 veh/hr typical · worst 1,517
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Wrightsville, PA and City of Scranton, PA.
1
Start on Bull Hill Road
111 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bull Hill Road
2
Turn left onto PA 958
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
PA 958
3
Merge onto US 6
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4
Continue on US 6; PA 27
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Youngsville Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 6
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Warren Bypass
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 6
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Crescent Park
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
10
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
11
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
12
Take the exit
265 ft
·
9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
13
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Main Street
14
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi
·
12 min
·
PA 948
15
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
PA 66
16
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi
·
22 min
·
PA 948
17
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
18
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Boot Jack Road
19
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Penfield Road
20
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Hoovertown Road
21
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi
·
14 min
·
State Park Road
22
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
23
Merge onto I 80
149 mi
·
2 hr 40 min
·
Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
25
Merge onto I 81
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 81
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward PA 307
27
Turn left onto River Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
River Street
28
At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
Cedar Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 47-minute duration, starting your 272.4-mile drive from Wrightsville early in the morning is advisable to maximize your daylight. While the route is feasible in one day, consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace, perhaps with an overnight stop. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. When you reach the longest stretch of 148.6 miles on the Keystone Shortway, keep an eye on your fuel level, as services might be less frequent on certain sections of this highway.
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 136.2 miles from Wrightsville, PA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.6 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 60 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 3h 13m 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 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 Wrightsville, 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 Wrightsville, PA
This is one driving day of about 272.4 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Wrightsville, 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 148.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.2 miles from Wrightsville, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Luzerne County Rest Area Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Centre County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Blue Ridge Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
Columbia County Rest Area Westbound
0.2 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 31 and 272.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
31 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward PA 666 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward PA 666 West
4
41.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
PA 66
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
Navigation decision point
4
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
PA 153 / Penfield Road
Turn left onto PA 153 / Penfield Road
Navigation decision point
5
238 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 260B
Toward I 81 North: Wilkes-Barre
7
272.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m 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
$43.43 one way
$86.87 round trip
$4.05/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $48.07 | $96.13 |
| premium | $4.81 | $51.56 | $103.13 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $51.43 | $102.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.60 | $13.08 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109 | 1 | $38.14 | $17.43 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Origin
Wrightsville, PA
Morning in Wrightsville on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Smoke
S 6 mph
73% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
Destination
City of Scranton, PA
Morning in City of Scranton on Monday
Local time
6:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke
SE 0 to 3 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 9:35PM EDT until July 19 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 9:22PM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH
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
1 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
5h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 272.4-mile route, with only 22% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 148.6 miles along the Keystone Shortway, which offers a more consistent pace. Beyond that, the drive will involve navigating various local roads, indicated by the significant portion of the trip not on major interstates. This means you'll experience more frequent changes in speed and direction as you make your way across the state.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.6 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 272.4 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 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 41.9 miles (PA 66): Navigation decision point; at 72.3 miles (PA 153 / Penfield Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,696 ft
555 ft
Total Climb
1,665 ft
Total Descent
2,282 ft
Highest Point
1,696 ft
~38.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,141 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Wrightsville, PA
Full guide →Founded 1811
Wrightsville is a historic town in York Township, Pennsylvania.
Top landmarks
- • Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge — road and sidewalk overpass in Pennsylvania
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 272.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.6 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 31 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 41.9 miles (PA 66): Navigation decision point; at 72.3 miles (PA 153 / Penfield Road): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at City of Scranton, PA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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