Origin
Albany, NY
Afternoon in Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albany, NY to Brooklyn, NY
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
157 mi
253 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Brooklyn, NY
Cristian Pedroso
Trip Overview
Traveling from Albany to Brooklyn covers 162.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes of road time. Because this route focuses on local roads like Washington Avenue, Eagle Street, and Pine Street rather than high-speed interstates, it is best suited as a dedicated day trip. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of this path, you will want to stay alert behind the wheel rather than relying on cruise control. While it is a manageable distance to cover in one go, the local traffic patterns mean you should plan for a full day of travel. Both the starting point and destination are nestled within the Northeast, keeping you firmly in the region for the duration of the trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.5 miles from Albany, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a standard highway cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from start to finish. Because the longest stretch on Washington Avenue is 0 miles of uninterrupted driving, you will find yourself constantly navigating intersections and urban traffic. The road’s personality is defined by its repetitive, technical nature rather than open stretches of pavement. You will spend your time managing frequent turns and adjusting to local road conditions as you transition from the capital region toward the city.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.4 miles in near NY 17.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 157 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 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
115.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
145.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
150.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
7
153.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27 toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 24
Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Towns Along This Route
Between Albany, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Jersey City
145.6 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
145.6 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
145.7 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Manhattan
147.3 mi in
|
~2h 57m
|
via I 78
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 111.2 mi | 2h 8m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| NY 27 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| I 787 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Caton Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on this road
30 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto NY 5
352 ft
·
10 sec
·
Washington Avenue
3
Turn left onto Eagle Street
156 ft
·
4 sec
·
Eagle Street
4
Turn slight right onto Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Pine Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Broadway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Broadway
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 787 South
8
Merge onto I 787
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 787
Exit 1
Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
11
Merge onto I 87
111 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
16
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
24
Take the exit
428 ft
·
14 sec
Toward NY 9A
25
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
26
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
2.6 mi
·
5 min
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Gowanus Expressway
29
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
NY 27
Exit 24
Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
NY 27
Exit 5
Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Caton Avenue
Use the none lane.
32
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Linden Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
33
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Nostrand Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 162.1-mile journey that relies entirely on local streets, planning your departure time is essential to avoid getting bogged down in urban congestion. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pace yourself, but be prepared for a steady, hands-on driving experience. Make sure to double-check your navigation frequently, as the reliance on local roads like Eagle and Pine streets requires precise turns. Keep your $26 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you hit the denser traffic areas to avoid city pricing. Given the turn-heavy profile, take advantage of your single stop to stretch your legs and reset before navigating the final leg into Brooklyn.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.5 miles from Albany, NY, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.5 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, NY 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 Albany, NY
This is one driving day of about 157 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albany, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.5 mi from Albany, NY · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.5 miles from Albany, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 miles.
Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
The final approach into Brooklyn, NY 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 Brooklyn, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.56 one way
$51.12 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $27.70 | $55.40 |
| premium | $4.88 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.88 | $69.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $21.56
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)
$5.56
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
$26
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.74 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.98 | $10.05 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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
Brooklyn, NY
Afternoon in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
79 mi in
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
10 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
3h 19m 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 Albany, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 157 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NJ 17, NJ 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.5 miles from Albany, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 157 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 114.4 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Albany, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Brooklyn, NY
More trips to Brooklyn, NY
Explore more options from Albany, NY or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Albany, NY or Brooklyn, NY on MapSof.net.