Trip from Whitman, PA to Luzerne, PA

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

117.7 mi

189 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Whitman, PA, PA

Whitman, PA

Haneul Trac

Downtown Luzerne, PA, PA

Luzerne, PA

Ec lipse

Trip Overview

The drive from Whitman, PA to Luzerne, PA covers 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, Schuylkill Expressway, PA 309 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.48 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

58.9 miles from Whitman, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 23m highway drive covering 117.7 miles, with most of the trip on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension and Schuylkill Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.6 miles on Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,213 ft 13 ft

Total Climb

1,200 ft

Total Descent

599 ft

Highest Point

1,213 ft

~84.1 mi in

Elevation Range

1,200 ft

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 early in the drive near South 5th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 117.7 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: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Ritner Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Oregon Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 5th Street

Turn right onto South 5th Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Ritner Street

Turn left onto Ritner Street

Navigation decision point

7
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Oregon Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Oregon Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
17.9 mi into trip | ~27m 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
107.6 mi into trip | ~2h 6m 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

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Whitman, PA to Luzerne, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bear Creek along the way.

Bear Creek

107.6 mi in | ~2h 6m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension 85.6 mi 1h 32m
Schuylkill Expressway 15.4 mi 22m
PA 309 4.4 mi 6m
Bear Creek Boulevard 4.3 mi 7m
Mid-County Expressway 3.4 mi 4m
Oregon Avenue 1.8 mi 3m
Union Street 0.3 mi 1m
South 6th Street 0.3 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 Whitman, PA and Luzerne, PA.

1

Start on Vollmer Street

231 ft · 12 sec · Vollmer Street
2

Turn right onto South 5th Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · South 5th Street
3

Turn left onto Ritner Street

445 ft · 24 sec · Ritner Street
4

Turn left onto South 6th Street

0.3 mi · 44 sec · South 6th Street
5

At end of road, turn right onto Oregon Avenue

1.8 mi · 3 min · Oregon Avenue
Use the none lane.
6

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · this road
Use the left / uturn / straight / right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 76

15 mi · 22 min · Schuylkill Expressway
Use the none / 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
Use the none lane.
10

Turn slight left onto I 476

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Mid-County Expressway
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on I 476; PATP

86 mi · 1 hr 32 min · Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension
Use the none lane.
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

4.4 mi · 6 min · PA 309
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 6 Toward Luzerne
16

Turn right onto Union Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Union Street
17

Continue on Main Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

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 58.9 miles from Whitman, PA, or about 1h 13m 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.9 miles or 1h 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 1h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Luzerne, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Whitman, 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 Whitman, PA

This is one driving day of about 117.7 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Whitman, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 58.9 mi from Whitman, PA · 1h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Staten Island, NY

59 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Staten Island, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.9 miles from Whitman, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.6 miles.

Arriving in Luzerne, PA

The final approach into Luzerne, 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 Luzerne, PA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Independence National Historical Park

Independence National Historical Park

National Historical Park

The park represents the founding ideals of the nation, and preserves national and international symbols of freedom and democracy, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The Declaration of I...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1
Park Closure: Congress Hall Temporary Closure
View on nps.gov
Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial

National Memorial

Visit the house where wounded Polish freedom fighter Thaddeus Kosciuszko lived and hear how this brilliant military engineer designed successful fortifications during the American Revolution. See the...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Valley Forge National Historical Park

Valley Forge National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, a...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 20.3
View on nps.gov
First State National Historical Park

First State National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Famous as the First State to ratify the Constitution, Delaware was born out of a conflict among three world powers for dominance of the Delaware Valley. From this beginning, the region developed a dis...

21 mi from route ~53 min detour Free near mile 4.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.48 one way

$38.95 round trip

$4.20/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.60 $21.31 $42.62
premium $4.92 $22.81 $45.62
diesel $5.64 $26.15 $52.30

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

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Wawa - Tesla Supercharger

Philadelphia, PA

Tesla

20 DCFC

Royal Farms - Tesla Supercharger

Gloucester City, NJ

Tesla

8 DCFC

East Market - Tesla Supercharger

Philadelphia, PA

Tesla

6 DCFC

Cedar Realty Riverview (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia, PA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Cedar Realty Quartermaster Plaza (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia, PA

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Wawa Folcroft

Folcroft, PA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Southport Plaza - DCFC

Philadelphia, PA

Blink Network

3 DCFC

Westville Town Center

Westville, NJ

eVgo Network

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 3 Tesla: 3 Blink Network: 3 eVgo Network: 2 Electrify America: 2

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.3 0 $12.36 $5.65
Efficient EV 29.4 0 $10.30 $4.71
EV Truck/SUV 47.1 0 $16.48 $7.53

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Whitman, PA

Evening in Whitman on Sunday

Local time

8:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Luzerne, PA

Evening in Luzerne on Sunday

Local time

8:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°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

9 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

2h 23m 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 Whitman, PA to Luzerne, PA covers 117.7 miles and takes about 2h 23m 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, PA 309. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.9 miles from Whitman, PA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.48 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 12 significant decision points across 117.7 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: near the start (South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Ritner Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Oregon Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Whitman, PA to Luzerne, PA, road signs begin pointing toward Bear Creek along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Luzerne, PA to Whitman, PA

Plan the drive back the other way.

118.2 mi 2h 24m

Explore more options from Whitman, PA or browse trips ending in Luzerne, PA.

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