Origin
Brighton, NY
Morning in Brighton on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brighton, NY to Manhattan, NY
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 43m
Distance
318.1 mi
512 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 31m
★
6 AM
6h 43m
8 AM
7h 7m
10 AM
6h 52m
12 PM
6h 49m
3 PM
6h 53m
5 PM
7h 6m
8 PM
6h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Brighton to Manhattan covers 338.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes of active driving time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, you should plan on this being a full-day commitment if you want to arrive feeling refreshed. You can expect to spend roughly $53 on fuel, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your trip across New York state. While it is technically possible to complete this journey in one day, the nature of the local roads means you will spend significant time behind the wheel. Assessing your comfort level with winding local routes is key to deciding whether to power through or build in extra time for rest. Since both locations are within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the Brighton area toward the density of Manhattan.
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
159.1 miles from Brighton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy, local road nature. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating technical stretches rather than maintaining a constant speed on wide-open freeways. This lack of highway driving means you will need to stay alert, as the road conditions shift constantly throughout the 338.8-mile journey. You won't find long, monotonous stretches here; instead, the drive demands your full attention as you navigate through local corridors. Prepare yourself for a hands-on driving experience where the road personality is defined by its constant turns and local focus.
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 42.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 43 significant decision points across 318.1 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 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 43 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42.7 mi into trip
|
~51m 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
192.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m 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
307.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m 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
307.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m 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
311.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m 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 Brighton, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Clyde
42.7 mi in
|
~51m
Mt Pocono
192.9 mi in
|
~4h 7m
|
via US 6
Milford
193.7 mi in
|
~4h 8m
|
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 | 30 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Eastern Expressway | 10.8 mi | 13m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 41 | 9.8 mi | 13m |
| Clark Street Road | 9.6 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on this road
177 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn sharp right onto Halstead Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Halstead Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto North Winton Road
453 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Winton Road
4
Turn left onto University Avenue
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
University Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 490 East
7
Merge onto I 490
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
30 mi
·
34 min
·
New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Use 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: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
31
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.
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, Milford
Use the straight lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward 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 Level
Use the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Use the slight right lane.
39
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 70A
Toward Leonia
Use 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 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Use 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 Technology
Use 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 Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
58
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 37-minute trek, consider departing early in the morning to navigate local traffic patterns more effectively. Since this route lacks the predictability of a major highway, build in extra time for the frequent turns and local navigation that define the path. Your fuel budget of $53 is a solid estimate, but keep a little extra set aside for potential detours or idling in traffic as you approach the city. Given the technical nature of these local roads, prioritize taking short, frequent breaks to stay sharp behind the wheel. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps updated in real-time, as local road construction or unexpected closures can significantly impact your travel time on these non-highway segments.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.1 miles from Brighton, NY, or about 3h 27m 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.1 miles or 3h 27m 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 27m
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 Brighton, 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 Brighton, NY
This is one driving day of about 318.1 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brighton, 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 159.1 mi from Brighton, NY · 3h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 159.1 miles from Brighton, 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
$52.36 one way
$104.72 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $56.62 | $113.24 |
| premium | $4.92 | $61.65 | $123.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $70.23 | $140.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)
$1.50
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
$52
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.40 | $15.27 |
| Efficient EV | 79.5 | 0 | $27.83 | $12.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.2 | 1 | $44.53 | $20.36 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
SW 10 to 16 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:26AM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
159 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
30 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
6h 43m 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 Brighton, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 318.1 miles and takes about 6h 43m 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 159.1 miles from Brighton, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.36 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 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 43 significant decision points across 318.1 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 42.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Brighton, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
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