Origin
Auburn, NY
Afternoon in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, NY to Manhattan, NY
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
258.8 mi
417 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Manhattan, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Auburn to Manhattan covers 268 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 31 minutes. Because this journey stays off the major interstates, it functions best as a dedicated day trip. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to complete the trek. This route takes you from the heart of the Northeast’s Finger Lakes region down into the dense urban environment of New York City. Since the drive is quite turn-heavy and local in nature, planning for a full day of focus is essential. It is a straightforward trip if you prefer a slower, more deliberate pace rather than a high-speed interstate haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.4 miles from Auburn, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical highway commute, as this route has a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads like Genesee Street, West Genesee Street Road, and East Lake Street. Because the path is largely composed of turn-heavy local roads, you will need to remain attentive behind the wheel throughout the entire 268-mile journey. This is not a route characterized by long, monotonous stretches of open pavement. Instead, the drive demands consistent engagement as you transition from smaller town settings toward the bustling streets of Manhattan.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 133.7 miles in near US 6.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 258.8 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 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
133.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
248.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
248.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
252.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
252.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Towns Along This Route
Between Auburn, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Mt Pocono
133.7 mi in
|
~2h 53m
|
via US 6
Milford
134.4 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via I 84; I 380
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 98.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Keystone Shortway | 80 mi | 1h 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 41 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Genesee Street | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| State Route 41 | 4.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 34; NY 38
20 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Street
2
Turn right onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Genesee Street
3
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
West Genesee Street Road
4
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Lake Street
5
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
6
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
7
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
8
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 41
9
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North West Street
10
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
12
Merge onto I 81
45 mi
·
54 min
·
I 81
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
18
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft
·
9 sec
·
Degraw Avenue
24
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Fort Lee Road
Use the none lane.
25
Continue on CR 56
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
26
Take the ramp
472 ft
·
12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
27
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Bergen Boulevard
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
312 ft
·
4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
31
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
32
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 9
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the none lane.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadway
39
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 86th Street
40
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Since this is a lengthy local drive, prioritize an early morning departure to navigate the turn-heavy sections while you are fresh. You are scheduled for one stop along the way, which will be vital for maintaining your energy on a route that lacks the speed of a major highway. Given the $42 fuel cost, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Auburn, as local road driving can sometimes be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway speeds. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace if traffic patterns fluctuate on these local thoroughfares. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the heavy reliance on local streets means you will encounter numerous turns that require careful navigation.
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 129.4 miles from Auburn, NY, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.4 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, NY
This is one driving day of about 258.8 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburn, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.4 mi from Auburn, NY · 2h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 129.4 miles from Auburn, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
The final approach into Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.13 one way
$84.26 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $45.66 | $91.31 |
| premium | $4.88 | $49.75 | $99.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.50 | $114.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
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
$42
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.17 | $12.42 |
| Efficient EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.65 | $10.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.23 | $16.56 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Manhattan, NY
Afternoon in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
129 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
6 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 258.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.4 miles from Auburn, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.13 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 258.8 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 133.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
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