If you want to avoid the Turnpike, another possibility is I-78. If you go over the Tappan Zee, you can take either the Garden State Parkway or I-287 south to I-78. Then you have some choices once you're in Pennsylvania. At night, the traffic would be light enough to allow you to pick up US-222 near Allentown and take that past Reading to Lancaster, then US-30 to York and onto I-83. Or you could use I-78 west to I-81 near Harrisburg and pick up I-83 there. (Tip for a shortcut in York if you use the US highways option: When the freeway ends at the light at North Hills Road, turn left. Do not take the first ramp to I-83 since it goes north; instead, turn right at the next light after that ramp, go under the highway, then take the loop-around ramp on the right. This route saves a couple of miles over taking Route 30 all the way to I-83; if you look at a map, you'll see why. It also eliminates the need to drive on Arsenal Road....but if you're a Gunners fan you might like that.)
Another possibility, one I prefer from Harrisburg, is US-15 south to Frederick, then I-270 to the Beltway. I just like Route 15 a lot more than I-83. Easier drive and less traffic and avoids Baltimore. I do worry about deer when I'm on there late at night even though I've never seen one. A bigger issue right now is that there may be roadwork near Gettysburg. When we went up to the battlefield two weeks ago, the southbound side was down to one lane in the Gettysburg area for resurfacing. I have no idea whether the work is done yet. It was moving pretty well on a Sunday afternoon, though.
Check the distance on these options versus I-84 to Scranton. It might be shorter to use I-78.
