This 338.7-mile drive from Bergen, NY, to Manhattan, NY, will take you approximately 7 hours and 6 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway, this route is feasible as a single-day trip, though you might appreciate an early start to maximize daylight. Expect a fuel cost of around $56 for this journey. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. This is a Northeast to Northeast journey, keeping you within familiar regional landscapes. The overall feel is a practical transit across the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
169.4 miles from Bergen, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 338.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a blend of highway driving and more turn-heavy local sections, with 46% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81, which can feel quite direct. As you progress, the character shifts, moving from broader interstate corridors to potentially more intricate local roads as you approach your destination. Be prepared for varied driving conditions that require attention to changing road types and traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 58 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?
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 63.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 40 significant decision points across 338.7 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 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 40 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
213.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
328.1 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
328.4 mi into trip|~6h 47m 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
332.3 mi into trip|~6h 54m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bergen, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Clyde
63.2 mi in|~1h 14m
Mt Pocono
213.5 mi in|~4h 31m|via US 6
Milford
214.3 mi in|~4h 32m|via I 84; I 380
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
57.9 mi
1h 6m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bergen, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 19
0.5 mi·56 sec·North Lake Avenue
2
Continue on NY 19
0.3 mi·43 sec·South Lake Street
3
Turn sharp left onto NY 33
0.3 mi·22 sec·Clinton Street Road
4
Continue on NY 33
473 ft·7 sec·Buffalo Road
5
Turn straight onto NY 33A
0.2 mi·13 sec·Chili-Riga Center Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 90, I 490 West: Buffalo, LeRoy
7
Merge onto I 490
3.2 mi·3 min·Western Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
58 mi·1 hr 6 min·New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
12
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
13
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
15
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
17
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
18
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
19
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
20
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
21
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
22
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
26
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
27
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
35
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
41
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
43
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
44
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
46
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
48
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
49
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
52
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
53
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 TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
55
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
56
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
57
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
58
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
For this roughly 7-hour drive, departing Bergen, NY, early in the morning is advisable to avoid peak traffic and make the most of your travel time. Plan for your two stops strategically to manage fatigue and refuel; consider breaking up the longest stretch on I 81. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but keep an eye on the clock as you near Manhattan. A specific tip: be aware that the transition into the New York State Thruway can involve tolls, so have a payment method ready.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.4 miles from Bergen, NY, or about 3h 38m 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 75 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.4 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 47m
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 Bergen, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bergen, NY
This is one driving day of about 338.7 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Bergen, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 169.4 mi from Bergen, NY
· 3h 38m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 338.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.75 one way
$111.50 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$60.29
$120.57
premium
$4.92
$65.65
$131.29
diesel
$5.61
$74.78
$149.56
Estimated Tolls: $18.89
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(57.9 mi)$2.89
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
$56
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.6
1
$35.56
$16.26
Efficient EV
84.7
0
$29.64
$13.55
EV Truck/SUV
135.5
1
$47.42
$21.68
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Bergen, NY
Night
in Bergen on Friday
Local time
10:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Night
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
10:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 8 mph28% chanceLive forecast
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
21 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
7h 6m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bergen, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 338.7 miles and takes about 7h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 169.4 miles from Bergen, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 40 significant decision points across 338.7 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 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bergen, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park and Hamilton Grange National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
