Origin
Bath, NY
Evening in Bath on Wednesday
Local time
7:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
270.1 mi
435 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bath, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Bath to New York City covers 270.1 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 33 minutes of drive time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to navigate through the Northeast. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel should cover your transit costs for the trip. Since the drive is highway-focused, it is a straightforward way to transition from the Finger Lakes region down to the metropolitan bustle of NYC. Whether you are heading home or starting a vacation, this route offers a reliable path between these two New York destinations.
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
135 miles from Bath, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
This trip is defined by a high-speed, highway-focused experience, with 73% of your travel time spent on major interstates. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 96.6 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a consistent pace as you move across the state, trading rural stretches for the denser traffic patterns of the city. While the route is efficient, be prepared for the transition from open highway cruising to the more congested infrastructure nearing your destination. The driving environment remains largely predictable, making it a functional choice for those prioritizing speed and directness over secondary backroads.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,707 ft
Total Descent
2,777 ft
Highest Point
1,819 ft
~168.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,784 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.7 miles in near I 81.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 270.1 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 99.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.6 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bath, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 96.6 mi | 1h 53m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Newark-Jersey City Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bath, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on East Washington Street
Turn left onto NY 415
At end of road, turn left onto NY 415
Continue on NY 415
Turn straight onto CR 11
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 86
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 280
Take the exit
Merge onto CR 508
Continue on NJ 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
To keep your drive smooth, aim to complete the 270.1-mile journey in a single push, utilizing your one planned stop to break up the 5-hour and 33-minute duration. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heavier traffic congestion that often builds as you approach New York City. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local price variations along the interstate. Since you have the flexibility of a one-day trip, consider timing your transit to bypass typical rush-hour windows in the city. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for I-81, as adjustments there can significantly impact your total arrival time.
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.
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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135 miles or 2h 40m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Bath, 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 Bath, NY
This is one driving day of about 270.1 miles and 5h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135 mi from Bath, NY · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135 miles from Bath, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.6 miles.
The final approach into New York City, 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 New York City, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$44.46 one way
$88.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $48.08 | $96.15 |
| premium | $4.92 | $52.35 | $104.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.63 | $119.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
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
$44
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81 | 1 | $28.36 | $12.96 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108 | 1 | $37.81 | $17.29 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bath on Wednesday
Local time
7:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
7:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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