Origin
Canandaigua, NY
Morning in Canandaigua on Thursday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Canandaigua, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 19m
Distance
285.3 mi
459 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 7m
★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Canandaigua, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a journey from Canandaigua, NY, to New York City, NY, covering 285.3 miles and an estimated 6 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated at $46. You'll primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, making your way through the Northeast region. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for a stop or two to break up the time. This trip offers a direct path between two points within the same region.
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
142.7 miles from Canandaigua, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 285.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a drive with a significant 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, despite 57% of the journey being on highways. While you'll experience a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on I-81, the overall character involves more frequent changes in road type and speed. This means you'll transition between faster interstate segments and more winding local roads, requiring your attention to be adaptable throughout the 285.3-mile trip. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience rather than a continuous interstate cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 61 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 73.5 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 62.4 miles in near NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 285.3 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 62.4 miles (NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 36 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m 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...
7
280.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
280.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m in
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
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Canandaigua, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
168.4 mi in
|
~3h 48m
|
via US 6
Milford
169.1 mi in
|
~3h 49m
|
via I 84; I 380
Newark
260.8 mi in
|
~5h 40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 73.5 mi | 1h 28m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 96A | 17.1 mi | 23m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| State Highway 79 | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Routes 5 and 20 | 11.2 mi | 17m |
| Slaterville Road | 11.1 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canandaigua, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on this road
41 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
114 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right
350 ft
·
31 sec
4
Turn left onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Parrish Street
5
Turn left onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Middle Cheshire Road
6
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5; NY 21
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Western Boulevard
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Eastern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Routes 5 and 20
9
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Canandaigua Road
10
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Hamilton Street
11
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Front Drive
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Waterloo-Geneva Road
13
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 96A
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 96A
15
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Street
16
Continue on NY 96
485 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Town Line Road
17
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 96
18
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Road
19
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
20
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 141
21
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Powell Road
22
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 96
23
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Trumansburg Road
24
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
25
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi
·
12 min
·
Trumansburg Road
26
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Cliff Street
27
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Buffalo Street
28
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft
·
24 sec
·
Taughannock Boulevard
29
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft
·
11 sec
·
West State Street
30
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
32
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Street
33
Continue on NY 79
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Slaterville Road
34
Continue on NY 79
15 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 79
35
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
36
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi
·
47 sec
·
NY 26
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 81 South
38
Merge onto I 81
20 mi
·
24 min
·
I 81
39
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.
40
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.
41
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.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
43
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
44
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
46
Continue on I 280
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17A
Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
48
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
52
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight lane.
53
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
54
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
55
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
57
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
59
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
61
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Canandaigua to bypass potential traffic closer to New York City. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 73.5 miles on I-81, and utilize service areas as needed. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests being extra vigilant for changing speed limits and road conditions, particularly as you approach your destination.
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 142.7 miles from Canandaigua, NY, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 63 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 3h 17m 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 6m
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 Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, NY
This is one driving day of about 285.3 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Canandaigua, 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 73.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.7 mi from Canandaigua, NY · 3h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.7 miles from Canandaigua, 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 73.5 miles.
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
$46.96 one way
$93.92 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $50.78 | $101.56 |
| premium | $4.92 | $55.30 | $110.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.99 | $125.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.14
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
$47
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.96 | $13.69 |
| Efficient EV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.96 | $11.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.1 | 1 | $39.94 | $18.26 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
New York City, NY
Morning in New York City on Thursday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
SW 14 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
37 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 19m 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 Canandaigua, NY to New York City, NY covers 285.3 miles and takes about 6h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.7 miles from Canandaigua, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.96 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 36 significant decision points across 285.3 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 62.4 miles (NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Canandaigua, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
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