The best road trip stops on the Scranton PA to Chicago drive are Penn’s Cave, Cleveland and South Bend. The distance from Scranton PA to Chicago by car is 703 miles, with a 10h30m driving time.
Planning a Scranton PA to Chicago road trip itinerary
The Scranton PA to Chicago drive connects northeast Pennsylvania to the biggest city in Illinois.
Scranton PA is perhaps best known as the setting for the Office. If you want to visit locations made famous by the show, there’s an audio guide touring route available.
Other Scranton attractions include the Electric City Aquarium and the Scranton Iron Furnaces. These are remnants of the early iron industry in the US. Railroad enthusiasts, however, will probably prefer the Steamtown National Historic Site, with its huge collection of steam locomotives.
For Scranton accommodation deals, hunt here.
Five great things to do in Chicago
- 🏙️ Marvel at the skyscrapers – on a Chicago River architecture cruise.
- 🖼️ Take an interiors architecture tour – to see stunning glass art and mosaics.
- 🍕 Taste Chicago’s favourite dishes – on a city favourites food tour.
- 🌆 Visit the Willis Tower observation deck – and see the city from above.
- 🕵️ Discover Chicago’s gangster heritage – on a crime and mob tour.
Chicago’s skyscrapers, music scene and massive collection of cultural attractions make it arguably the most exciting city in the US to visit.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a crime and gangsters tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods.
Key attractions such as the Chicago Architecture Center, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are worth visiting. But save time for smaller delights like the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and the Tiffany Dome in Preston Bradley Hall.
Recommended Chicago hotels include the Club Quarters Central Loop for astonishingly good value. Also consider the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile for its amazing, historic pool, and the entertainingly science-themed Hotel EMC2.
Why book the Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?
- 🚌 Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off: Explore the Windy City at your own pace with a pass that allows you to join and rejoin the tour at any of the 11+ strategically located stops.
- 🏙️ Iconic Chicago Sightseeing: See the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Navy Pier, Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower), the Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park.
- 🎧 Informative Audio Commentary: Learn about Chicago’s rich history, world-class architecture, and vibrant culture through entertaining narration available in multiple languages.
- 📸 Unobstructed Top-Deck Views: Ride on an open-top, double-decker bus to capture perfect photos of the city’s towering skyscrapers and the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.
- ⏱️ Flexible Ticket Options: Choose a 24, 48, or 72-hour pass to perfectly fit your travel itinerary, with the freedom to spend as much time as you like at each attraction.
Scranton PA to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Scranton PA to Chicago is 703 miles. That makes for a driving time of around ten hours and 30 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-81, I-80 and I-90.
The best stops to add to a Scranton to Chicago road trip itinerary are Penn’s Cave, Cleveland and South Bend.
Why book the Go City Chicago Explorer Pass?
- 🏙️ Skydeck Chicago & 360 CHICAGO: Get high-altitude views of the city from its most famous observation decks, including the glass-bottomed “Ledge” at Willis Tower.
- ⛴️ Architecture River Cruise: Experience Chicago’s world-renowned skyline from the water on a Shoreline Sightseeing cruise, one of the city’s most popular activities.
- 🦕 World-Class Museums: Choose from premier institutions like the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
- 💰 Save up to 40%: Pay one flat price for your choice of 2 to 7 attractions and enjoy significant savings compared to purchasing individual tickets at each gate.
- 📱 Total Flexibility: You have 60 days to use your pass once it’s activated at your first attraction, and your digital pass is easily managed directly from your smartphone.
Scranton to Chicago road trip attractions: Penn’s Cave
Penn’s Cave in Centre Hall PA makes for an unusual cave tour, as it’s mostly done by boat. After heading down 48 steps to the boat dock, the cruise through the cave system shows off extraordinary stalagmites and stalactites before drifting along an underground lake.
Outside the cave complex, there’s a wildlife park and maze. You can also try your hand at gem panning.
Best stops between Scranton and Chicago: Cleveland, Ohio
5 Great Cleveland Experiences to Book
- 👻 Cleveland Ghost Tour: Hear spooky stories from the city’s past and explore haunted landmarks on a guided evening walking tour.
- 🌲 Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Link together the best viewpoints and trails on a self-drive visit with a comprehensive smartphone audio guide.
- 🎸 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Explore the history of music legends through iconic artifacts and immersive exhibits at this world-famous lakeside museum.
- 🌮 Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour: Experience one of the city’s trendiest districts through multiple food tastings and expert drink pairings.
- 🍎 West Side Market Food Tour: Get to know the best local stalls and the history of Cleveland’s oldest operating indoor/outdoor market.
Top attractions in Cleveland include the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center and Cleveland History Center. Alternatively, try the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Cleveland tour options focus on neighbourhood food scenes and ghostly tales after dark.
Scranton to Chicago drive: South Bend, Indiana
South Bend is one of those towns that’s just fun to hang out in. It’s a university city, and the student life gives it the bulk of its energy. Notre Dame University tours take in the campus and key buildings such as the hugely impressive Basilica of Notre Dame.
For car-lovers, however, the key attraction in South Bend is the Studebaker National Museum. Studebaker Cars were made here until 1963. The museum tells their story and has plenty of classics on display.
More Chicago travel
Other Chicago travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Why you should do a Chicago architecture walking tour as well as a cruise.
- The best attractions in Chicago’s Millennium Park – including Cloud Gate.
- What you need to know before visiting the Chicago History Museum and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park.
- Experiencing different pizza styles in Chicago’s West Loop.
- A guide to Chicago’s best neighbourhoods for visitors.
