If you’ve spent any time in Northeast Pennsylvania, you know that the distance from Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA isn't measured in miles. It’s measured in grudges, pizza preferences, and whether you think "the city" refers to the place with the Electric Sign or the one with the Public Square.
It’s only about 20 miles. Twenty minutes if the traffic on I-81 isn't acting up near the Davis Street exit. Yet, these two places feel like different planets.
People always ask which one is better. Honestly? It depends on what you're looking for. You have Scranton, which leaned hard into its The Office fame and has a sort of gritty, vertical charm with its hills and Narrowsburg-style architecture. Then you’ve got Wilkes-Barre, which feels a bit more spread out, sitting in the basin of the Wyoming Valley, perpetually looking at the Susquehanna River and wondering if it’s going to flood again.
The Reality of the Commute: I-81 vs. The Back Road
Most people making the trek from Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA just hop on Interstate 81. It’s the obvious choice. But anyone who lives here knows that I-81 is a roll of the dice. Between the massive tractor-trailers hauling goods to the Poconos and the eternal construction projects that seem to move three inches a year, you might get there in 18 minutes, or you might be stuck behind a fender bender for an hour.
Local tip: Learn Route 11. It’s slower. There are more lights. But if the interstate is a parking lot, "The Pittston Bypass" or hitting Main Street through Moosic and Avoca will save your sanity.
It’s a weirdly scenic drive in its own post-industrial way. You pass the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP), which is technically in Avoca. It’s one of those rare airports where you can park, walk through security, and be at your gate in about ten minutes. It’s a tiny gem.
You also pass Montage Mountain. If you're driving south toward Wilkes-Barre in the winter, the glow from the ski slopes hits the clouds and turns the sky a weird, hazy orange. It’s kind of beautiful, actually.
Why the Rivalry is Actually Real
Historically, these two cities were the titans of the Anthracite coal region. Scranton was the "Electric City"—the first in the nation to have a successful, continuously operating electric trolley system. Wilkes-Barre was the seat of power for the coal barons.
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That rivalry never really went away.
Even today, the tension exists in the smallest things. Like the Penguins. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) play their home games at the Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre. Scrantonians have to drive down there to see "their" team, and you’ll still hear people in the stands arguing about which city should have come first in the team name.
Then there is the food.
If you're going from Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA just to eat, you’re basically entering a war zone of regional delicacies. Scranton is the land of the "tray" (never a "pie") of Old Forge-style pizza. It’s thick, rectangular, and has that sticky cheese that clings to the roof of your mouth. Wilkes-Barre has its own thing going on with places like Grotto Pizza (Harveys Lake is close enough to count) or the legendary bars in the valley that serve wings that would put Buffalo to shame.
The Cultural Split: Downtown vs. The Valley
Scranton’s downtown has seen a massive revitalization. Places like the Ritz Theater and the various lofts in old department store buildings give it a "mini-Brooklyn" vibe that’s popular with the younger crowd from the University of Scranton.
Wilkes-Barre is different. It’s the home of King’s College and Wilkes University. The vibe there is a bit more centered around the river common. If you’ve never walked the levee in Wilkes-Barre, you’re missing out. It’s a massive engineering feat designed to keep the Susquehanna at bay, but it’s also the best running trail in the county.
The distance from Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA also represents a shift in how the towns look. Scranton is built into the side of the mountains. Streets are steep. Parallel parking is a nightmare. Wilkes-Barre is flatter. It feels more like a traditional river town.
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Surprising Facts About the 18-Mile Stretch
- The Steamtown National Historic Site: It’s right in downtown Scranton. You can see massive locomotives that used to haul the very coal that built Wilkes-Barre.
- The Susquehanna River: It defines Wilkes-Barre, but Scranton actually sits on the Lackawanna River. They meet in a spot called "the confluence" in Duryea. It’s a great fishing spot if you know where to climb down.
- Planters Peanuts: Most people don't realize Amedeo Obici started the company in Wilkes-Barre back in 1906. There’s still a huge sense of pride about that in the valley.
Getting From A to B Without Losing Your Mind
If you are a visitor or a new resident, don't rely solely on GPS. Google Maps will tell you to take I-81 every single time. It doesn't know about the "hidden" traffic that happens when a shift changes at one of the massive warehouses in Pittston or Jessup.
If you're traveling during rush hour (usually 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM), consider taking the "Back Mountain" routes if you're headed toward the northern end of Wilkes-Barre.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. The valley holds fog like a bowl holds soup. You can leave a perfectly sunny Scranton and hit a wall of grey the second you descend the "Dupont hill" into the Wilkes-Barre area. It’s a micro-climate thing that catches people off guard.
The Economic Connection
Despite the "rivalry," the two cities are becoming more of a single metropolitan unit. The business corridor between Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA—specifically the CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park—is the economic engine of the region now.
Thousands of people commute between the two daily. You might live in a historic home in the Hill Section of Scranton but work at a law firm near Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. This interconnectivity is why the "Valley" is often treated as one giant neighborhood by local media.
WNEP and WBRE, the local news giants, have to walk a fine line every day to make sure they give both cities equal billing. It’s a hilarious balancing act. If a big tree falls in Scranton, they better find a slightly bigger tree that fell in Wilkes-Barre to keep the viewers happy.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there’s nothing to do between the two cities.
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In reality, the Pittston area (right in the middle) has become a cultural hub of its own. The Tomato Festival is a massive deal. If you’re driving the Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA route in August, you have to stop. It’s chaotic, there’s a tomato fight, and the food is incredible.
People also think the region is just a "rust belt" relic.
That’s old thinking.
The tech sector is growing. Geisinger and Commonwealth Health have turned the corridor into a massive medical hub. You’re seeing a lot of people move here from Philly or New York because they realize they can buy a mansion in Scranton for the price of a parking spot in Manhattan. And with the drive being so short, they get the amenities of both cities.
Actionable Advice for Navigating the Region
- Check the Waze app before you start the car. The I-81 corridor is notorious for sudden closures due to accidents.
- Visit the Seven Tubs Recreation Area. It’s located right off the highway between the two cities. It features natural glacial potholes and waterfalls. It’s the best "secret" hike in the area.
- Try the "Pizza Tour." Spend a Saturday getting a cut at Maroni’s in Scranton and then a tray at Angelo’s in Wilkes-Barre. You’ll understand the cultural divide immediately.
- Park at the Intermodal centers. Both cities have modern parking garages that are surprisingly cheap and put you within walking distance of the best coffee shops (like Northern Light in Scranton or some of the hidden cafes near Wilkes' campus).
- Watch the terminology. In Scranton, you’re "going down the line" to Wilkes-Barre. In Wilkes-Barre, you’re "going up the line" to Scranton. Don't ask why; it's just the way it is.
The connection from Scranton PA to Wilkes Barre PA defines life in NEPA. It’s a short drive with a long history. Whether you’re here for a weekend or moving here for work, embracing the quirkiness of both cities is the only way to truly experience the region. Skip the chains, talk to the locals, and always carry an extra five bucks for the occasional toll or a quick snack at a roadside pierogi stand.
Once you’ve made the trip a few times, you’ll realize that while they are two different cities, they share a specific kind of grit and heart that you just won’t find anywhere else in Pennsylvania. Just don't tell a Scrantonian that Wilkes-Barre has better pizza—unless you’re looking for a very long argument.