Origin
Philadelphia, PA
Late night in Philadelphia on Thursday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Philadelphia, PA to Wilkes-Barre, PA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
113 mi
182 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Philadelphia to Wilkes-Barre covers approximately 113 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $18 for fuel to complete the trip. Navigating through East Penn Square, John F, and North 16th Street, you will find this path avoids major highways entirely. It is a straightforward, practical connection for those moving between these two Pennsylvania cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Philadelphia, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be dealing with high-speed lanes or long, straight stretches. The longest uninterrupted section is 0 miles on East Penn Square, meaning you will be managing frequent turns and urban transitions throughout the entire 113-mile trek. This route offers a unique experience behind the wheel, focusing on local roads that keep you engaged with the changing landscape. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience compared to a typical highway-heavy commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension is the longest continuous segment at about 85.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near PA 611 / East Penn Square.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 113 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 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
PA 611 / East Penn Square
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611 / East Penn Square
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Ai...
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
6
103.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 105
Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
6
112.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
Public Square
Enter roundabout onto Public Square
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Philadelphia, PA to Wilkes-Barre, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bear Creek along the way.
Bear Creek
103.8 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension | 85.6 mi | 1h 32m |
| Schuylkill Expressway | 12.1 mi | 17m |
| Bear Creek Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Mid-County Expressway | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| PA 309 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Wilkes-Barre Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Vine Street Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| North 16th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
— 85.6 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, PA and Wilkes-Barre, PA.
1
Start on South Penn Square
397 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Penn Square
2
Keep slight left at fork onto PA 611
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Penn Square
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on John F. Kennedy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto North 16th Street
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
North 16th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 676 West, US 30 West: International Airport, Valley Forge
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 676; US 30
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Vine Street Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 76; US 30
12 mi
·
17 min
·
Schuylkill Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 331B
Toward I 476 North: Plymouth Meeting
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 476
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Mid-County Expressway
10
Turn slight left onto I 476
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Mid-County Expressway
11
Continue on I 476; PATP
86 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 105
Toward PA 115: Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek
13
Turn left onto PA 115
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Bear Creek Boulevard
14
Continue on PA 309
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
PA 309
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward Wilkes-Barre, Center City
16
Keep slight left at fork
444 ft
·
12 sec
17
Turn left onto Wilkes-Barre Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Wilkes-Barre Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Scott Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Scott Street
19
Turn left onto North Pennsylvania Avenue
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Pennsylvania Avenue
20
Turn right onto East Market Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Market Street
21
Enter roundabout onto Public Square
180 ft
·
4 sec
·
Public Square
22
Arrive at destination
Public Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no stops required by the route data, you can easily complete the journey in one push, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $18 estimated cost. Because the route relies exclusively on local roads like North 16th Street and John F, be prepared for more intersections and traffic signals than you would encounter on a turnpike. Staying alert for turns is essential for navigating the route successfully. Enjoy the freedom of a direct, single-day trip that gets you from Philadelphia to Wilkes-Barre efficiently.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.5 miles from Philadelphia, PA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.6 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilkes-Barre, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, PA
This is one driving day of about 113 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Philadelphia, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension for about 85.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.5 mi from Philadelphia, PA · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.5 miles from Philadelphia, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.6 miles.
Arriving in Wilkes-Barre, PA
The final approach into Wilkes-Barre, PA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Wilkes-Barre, PA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.73 one way
$37.47 round trip
$4.21/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $20.52 | $41.04 |
| premium | $4.93 | $21.91 | $43.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $11.13
Pennsylvania Turnpike
(85.6 mi)
$11.13
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
$19
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
| Efficient EV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.89 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.82 | $7.23 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Late night in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
2h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Philadelphia, PA to Wilkes-Barre, PA covers 113 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Schuylkill Expressway, Bear Creek Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.5 miles from Philadelphia, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 113 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (PA 611 / East Penn Square): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Philadelphia, PA to Wilkes-Barre, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bear Creek along the way.
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