The Poconos are close enough for a Friday-to-Sunday trip from either city. Jack Frost Big Boulder puts the drive at about 2 hours 5 minutes (about 105 miles) from New York City and about 1 hour 50 minutes (about 97 miles) from Philadelphia, before traffic.
Most rentals are spread out in the woods and lake communities, so a car is the easiest way to go. If you'd rather not drive from New York, Martz Trailways runs buses from Port Authority to the Poconos every day.
Driving from New York City
- Cross the George Washington Bridge and take I-80 west across New Jersey into Pennsylvania at the Delaware Water Gap.
- The Delaware Water Gap bridge is tolled only in the Pennsylvania-bound direction. It's cashless: E-ZPass or toll by plate, and E-ZPass costs much less.
- For Mount Pocono, Pocono Summit and Pocono Pines, take I-380 north to Exit 3 (Route 940).
- For Long Pond, Lake Harmony and Blakeslee, stay on I-80 to Exit 284 (Route 115).
Driving from Philadelphia
- Take I-76 west (the Schuylkill Expressway) to I-476 north, the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension.
- Exit 95 (Pocono) connects to I-80 and Route 940, near Jack Frost and Hickory Run State Park.
- Exit 87, from Route 903, is E-ZPass only and is the shortcut to Big Boulder and Lake Harmony.
- Skytop Lodge puts the drive from Center City at a little over 100 miles and about 2 hours under normal conditions.
When to leave
Every drive time here is without traffic. Peak traffic, work zones and winter weather can add a lot, so build in extra time. Before you go, check 511PA for live traffic cameras, delays and weather restrictions. Leaving earlier in the day also gives you time to settle in and shop before dinner.
Taking the bus from New York
Martz Trailways runs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg (Park N Ride, 5080 Independence Road, East Stroudsburg) and Mount Pocono (2 Fork Street). Its schedule, updated April 6, 2026, shows weekday departures from Port Authority at 8:30 AM, 11 AM, 1:45 PM, 3 PM and 7 PM, reaching Mount Pocono about 2 hours later. Weekends have their own schedule. Martz lists one-way fares of $55 to Mount Pocono and $51 to Stroudsburg, plus a processing fee.
Rentals are usually several miles from the bus stops, so plan your ride from the station before you go. Monroe County's Pocono Pony buses also run locally. From Philadelphia, we couldn't find a direct bus to the Poconos, so most people drive.
Flying in
The closest airports are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) in Avoca, about 30 miles north of Jack Frost Big Boulder, and Lehigh Valley International (ABE) in Allentown, about 53 miles south. Plan to rent a car at either one.
A 2-night plan: summer
- Friday: drive up, pick up groceries on the way, and settle in.
- Saturday: spend the day at Tobyhanna State Park. Swim at the beach (open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to mid-September) or rent a kayak, canoe or rowboat (daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day). The 5.1-mile Lakeside Trail circles the lake.
- Sunday: a slow morning at the house, then head home after lunch.
A 2-night plan: fall
- Friday: arrive and settle in for a quiet night.
- Saturday: hike Hickory Run State Park (I-80 Exit 274) and see the Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark, then explore Jim Thorpe in the afternoon.
- Sunday: walk Cathy's Trail, a 1.7-mile loop at the Long Pond Preserve, on your way back to I-80. Parts of it close during deer rifle season, so check before you go.
A 2-night plan: winter
- Friday: arrive after work. Winter driving is slower, so leave extra time.
- Saturday: ski or ride at Jack Frost or Big Boulder.
- Sunday: warm up at an indoor waterpark: Kalahari (220,000 square feet) or Great Wolf Lodge, which sells half-day and full-day passes.
