Origin
Beacon, NY
Evening in Beacon on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Beacon, NY to New York City, NY
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Beacon, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Beacon down to New York City, you can expect a manageable 72.1-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate a combination of the New York State Thruway, I-84, and NJ-17 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $11 for fuel should cover your travel costs for this Northeast corridor transit. This route offers a direct transition from the Hudson Valley region into the heart of the city, making it a functional choice for travelers who value efficiency over a slow-paced scenic tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36 miles from Beacon, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving profile that keeps the pace varied as you transition between different road types. Highway travel accounts for 46% of your total mileage, providing a balance between high-speed transit and local navigation. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New York State Thruway, where you will cover 29 miles of roadway. As you move toward the city, the road personality shifts from more open highway segments to the denser traffic patterns characteristic of the approach into New York City. Staying alert is essential, as the changing road conditions require you to remain engaged behind the wheel throughout the entire 1-hour and 36-minute duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 26 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 29 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
502 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
270 ft
Total Descent
589 ft
Highest Point
502 ft
~21 mi in
Elevation Range
494 ft
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 1.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 72.1 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon B...
8
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York State Thruway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 36A
Toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York St...
9
36.5 mi into trip
|
~45m 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
37.9 mi into trip
|
~47m 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
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Beacon, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York State Thruway, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
Albany
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
New York State Thruway
6.2 mi in
|
~10m
Jersey City
67.7 mi in
|
~1h 25m
|
via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
67.7 mi in
|
~1h 25m
|
via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
67.8 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 29 mi | 33m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| I 84 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| NY 17 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
| Conrail Viaduct | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 29 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beacon, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 52 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on NY 9D; NY 52 Bus
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Road
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West: Newburgh Beacon Bridge, Newburgh
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 84; NY 52
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
I 84; NY 52
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 36A
Toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on this road
427 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 87 South: New York City
9
Merge onto I 87
29 mi
·
33 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
14
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
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
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
18
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
19
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
22
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 72.1-mile trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops given the short duration, so you can easily complete the drive in one go. Keep in mind that traffic patterns near New York City can be unpredictable, so check your navigation app before you pull out of Beacon to account for any potential congestion on the state highways. Since your fuel cost is estimated at a modest $11, ensure your tank is topped off before you leave to avoid paying higher prices near the city center. Staying focused on the flow of the New York State Thruway and I-84 will help you maintain a steady pace toward your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36 miles from Beacon, NY, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 72.1 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beacon, 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 Beacon, NY
This is one driving day of about 72.1 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Beacon, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 29 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36 mi from Beacon, NY · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Beacon, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New York City, NY
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.74 one way
$23.48 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $12.72 | $25.44 |
| premium | $4.88 | $13.86 | $27.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.02 | $32.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.45
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(29 mi)
$1.45
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
$12
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
New York City, NY
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
SE 8 to 13 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
36 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.
Road read
1h 36m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Beacon, NY to New York City, NY covers 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 36m 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, I 84. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36 miles from Beacon, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 72.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Beacon, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York State Thruway, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
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