How far is Plains, PA from Scranton, PA?

Fastest route

The requested URL contains directions from Plains, Pennsylvania (ZIP code 18705) to Scranton, Pennsylvania. The fastest route is currently via I-81 N, with an estimated travel time of 24 minutes covering a distance of 20.0 miles.

Directions

To get from Plains, Pennsylvania to Scranton, Pennsylvania, follow these steps:

  1. Start your journey from Plains, Pennsylvania, 18705.
  2. Head north on I-81 N (Interstate 81 North).
  3. Continue on I-81 N for approximately 20.0 miles.
  4. Exit onto N Main St and continue until you reach your destination.
  5. Arrive at Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Take I-81 N: The fastest route to Scranton is currently via Interstate 81 North.
  • ⏱️ Estimated travel time: The journey from Plains to Scranton is expected to take about 24 minutes.
  • 📍 Know your starting point: Begin your trip from Plains, Pennsylvania, 18705.
  • 🛣️ Follow N Main St: After exiting I-81 N, continue your journey on N Main St until you reach your destination.
  • 🚦 Check traffic conditions: Consider checking for real-time traffic updates to choose the best route.
  • 🗺️ Explore Scranton: Once you arrive in Scranton, take the opportunity to explore the city and its attractions.
  • 📱 Use GPS or maps: Utilize a GPS device or mapping application to navigate the route efficiently.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.75 mi
00h 24m
Flight
13.33 mi
21.46 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plains.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.33 mi
Kilometers
21.46 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.75 mi
Kilometers
26.96 km
Drive Time
00h 24m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scranton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:27 AM EDT
Return by in Plains
Thu, Apr 23, 1:51 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plains
2026-04-23T01:03
Arrive Scranton
Thu, Apr 23, 1:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:24 AM to 7:24 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Plains
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Dupont
PA

Borough in northeastern Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

From Plains
8.3 mi
00h 12m
To Scranton
8.5 mi
00h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Plains and Scranton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plains and Scranton.

  1. 1

    Start on East Carey Street

    36 m · 12 sec · East Carey Street

  2. 2

    Turn sharp right onto North Main Street

    3.4 mi · 7 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Bypass Road

    677 ft · 19 sec · Bypass Road

  4. 4

    Continue on South Township Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · South Township Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Oak Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Oak Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Chestnut Street

    2581 ft · 52 sec · Chestnut Street

  7. 7

    Take the exit straight toward I 81 North: Scranton

    1395 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    8.2 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward PA 307

    835 ft · 22 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto River Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · River Street

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

    1591 ft · 31 sec · Cedar Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Adams Avenue

    566 ft · 17 sec · Adams Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Biden Street

    972 ft · 25 sec · Biden Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Wyoming Avenue

    41 m · 5 sec · Wyoming Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wyoming Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Plains and Scranton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
89.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 81 North
8.51 mi · 51%
North Main Street
3.36 mi · 20%
Oak Street
1.22 mi · 7%
South Township Boulevard
1.03 mi · 6%
River Street
0.96 mi · 6%
Chestnut Street
0.49 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 81 North

Merge slight left

8.25 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 24m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.4 mi
13.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dupont
00h 12m from Plains
Leave By
7:42 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Plains and Mostly Sunny near Scranton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Plains to Scranton?

The road trip is about 16.8 miles (27 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Dupont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.3 miles from Plains and 8.5 miles from Scranton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 13.4 miles (21.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.41 one way or $4.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Plains and Mostly Sunny near Scranton.

Stop Ideas Near Dupont

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dupont, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dupont.

BUS

Scranton, PA

11 mi away
23 Lackawanna Avenue
BUS

Wilkes-Barre, PA

15 mi away
47 South Washington Street
BUS

White Haven, PA

28 mi away
I-476, Exit 95/I-80, Exit 277, at Hwy 940

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plains and Scranton. Straight-line distance: 13.33 mi (21.46 km).

Plains

#1 Plains

Township in eastern Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Population9,657
Coordinates41.2753600, -75.8502000
Altitude200
CountryUnited States
Scranton

#2 Scranton

The third most populous city in Pennsylvania.

Population76,532
Coordinates41.4091600, -75.6649000
Altitude230
CountryUnited States
Start: East Carey Street (-75.85019, 41.275384)
End: Wyoming Avenue (-75.664767, 41.409077)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 27 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.59 gal
2.24 L · about $2.41
Round trip
$4.82
1.18 gal · 4.48 L
Estimated CO2
5.2 kg one way
Round trip: 10.5 kg / 23 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.09 $2.41 $4.82
Mid-grade $4.60 $2.71 $5.43
Premium $4.95 $2.92 $5.85
Diesel $5.98 $3.53 $7.06

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Pennsylvania · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Plains and Scranton. The current time is 01:03:22.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.