Traveling from Cambridge to Manhattan covers approximately 187.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes. Because this is a relatively manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route primarily utilizes local roads like West Main Street, South Park Street, and Highway 67 rather than major interstates. Since you remain within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the quieter environment of Cambridge into the density of New York City.
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
92 miles from Cambridge, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m 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 4h 3m. Total distance: 183.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local arteries for the entire 187.1 miles. The road’s personality is defined by constant adjustments and turns rather than long, straight stretches of asphalt. You should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that changes significantly as you move away from rural Cambridge toward the urban landscape of Manhattan. It is a technical route that requires you to stay alert through every turn.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 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 111.2 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 152.6 miles in near NY 17.
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 26 significant decision points across 183.9 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 152.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.5 miles (US 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
152.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
154 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
177.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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...
7
177.6 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
8
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cambridge, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Massachusetts Turnpike
40.9 mi in|~1h 7m
Exits 22-1
40.9 mi in|~1h 7m
Gsp South: Paterson
168 mi in|~3h 37m
Fort Lee
168 mi in|~3h 37m
New York
168 mi in|~3h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
111.2 mi
2h 8m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 67
10.9 mi
17m
I 787
10.5 mi
15m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
South Park Street
5.3 mi
8m
Henry Hudson Parkway
4.2 mi
6m
Melrose-Valley Falls Road
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 111.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Broad Street
56 ft·9 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn left onto 372
0.3 mi·42 sec·West Main Street
3
Turn right onto NY 22
5.3 mi·8 min·South Park Street
4
Turn right onto NY 67
11 mi·17 min·State Highway 67
5
Turn left onto CR 117
0.6 mi·1 min·State Street
6
Continue on CR 117
2.4 mi·4 min·Melrose-Valley Falls Road
7
Continue on CR 119
1.4 mi·1 min·CR 119 - Madigan Road
8
Turn slight right onto CR 117
1.5 mi·2 min·Melrose-Valley Falls Road
9
Turn straight onto NY 40
2.6 mi·4 min·State Highway 40
10
Continue on NY 40
1.1 mi·2 min·Speigletown Road
11
Continue on NY 40
518 ft·13 sec·Brickyard Road
12
Continue on NY 40
0.6 mi·1 min·Leversee Road
13
Turn right onto NY 40; NY 142
465 ft·18 sec·Plank Road
14
Turn left onto NY 40
3.4 mi·7 min·Oakwood Avenue
15
Continue on NY 40
392 ft·14 sec·10th Street
16
Turn right onto NY 7
513 ft·16 sec·Hoosick Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto I 787; NY 7
0.5 mi·42 sec·I 787; NY 7
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 787
9.4 mi·13 min·I 787
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 787
0.6 mi·1 min·I 787
Exit 1Toward I 87 Toll: New York State Thruway
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: New York, Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1
21
Merge onto I 87
111 mi·2 hr 8 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
24
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
27
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
32
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
33
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.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
36
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
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.
38
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
40
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
41
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
42
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, it is wise to build in extra time for your 3-hour and 22-minute drive to account for unpredictable traffic or slower speeds. Aim to plan at least one stop during the trip to stretch your legs and refresh, as the constant steering on local roads can be more taxing than interstate driving. Since you are staying off the highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge; while $30 is a solid estimate, local traffic patterns can impact your actual consumption. A great way to manage this trip is to leave early in the morning to avoid the busiest local intersections. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single planned stop to navigate around any unexpected congestion you encounter on Highway 67.
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 92 miles from Cambridge, NY, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 40 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, NY
This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Cambridge, 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 New York State Thruway for about 111.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92 mi from Cambridge, NY
· 2h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.27 one way
$60.54 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$32.73
$65.47
premium
$4.92
$35.64
$71.29
diesel
$5.61
$40.60
$81.21
Estimated Tolls: $21.56
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(111.2 mi)$5.56
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
$30
Tolls
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
Efficient EV
46
0
$16.09
$7.36
EV Truck/SUV
73.6
0
$25.75
$11.77
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cambridge, NY
Evening
in Cambridge on Friday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Evening
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 3m 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 Cambridge, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 183.9 miles and takes about 4h 3m 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, State Highway 67. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92 miles from Cambridge, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.27 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 26 significant decision points across 183.9 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 152.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.5 miles (US 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cambridge, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Massachusetts Turnpike, Exits 22-1, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
