Catharine, NY to Brooklyn, NY is 240.4 miles and takes about 5h 21m via Keystone Shortway, I 81, and I 380, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Northeast region, making it a straightforward, single-day trip entirely within New York. Expect a drive primarily on highways, offering an efficient way to cover the distance. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without significant detours, and the estimated fuel cost makes it an economical option for a weekend excursion or a quick visit.
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
120.2 miles from Catharine, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 21m. Total distance: 240.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience mostly high-speed travel, particularly on I 81 and I 380. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 63.3 miles along the Keystone Shortway. While much of the drive will be on these faster roads, be prepared for the transition as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of consistent forward momentum, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 53 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Keystone Shortway is the longest continuous segment at about 63.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63 miles in near I 81.
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 32 significant decision points across 240.4 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 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
63 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
228.4 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
228.7 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
8
233.7 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Catharine, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Mt Pocono
116.4 mi in|~2h 36m|via US 6
Milford
117.1 mi in|~2h 37m|via I 84; I 380
Newark
208.8 mi in|~4h 28m
Cr 508 East: Jersey City
225.3 mi in|~4h 50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Southern Tier Expressway
23.5 mi
28m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
State Highway 224
11.2 mi
15m
State Highway 96
6.5 mi
9m
Spencer Road
4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catharine, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on CR 15
75 ft·7 sec·County Route 15
2
Turn left onto CR 14
3.8 mi·9 min·County Route 14
3
Turn left onto NY 13
0.2 mi·12 sec·State Highway 13
4
Turn right onto NY 224
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 224
5
Continue on NY 34
1.6 mi·2 min·State Highway 34
6
Continue on NY 34
0.8 mi·1 min·Spencer-Van Etten Road
7
Continue on NY 34
1.0 mi·2 min·West Tioga Street
8
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Candor Road
9
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 96
10
Continue on NY 96
2.4 mi·3 min·Candor Road
11
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·Spencer Road
12
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·15 sec·Spencer Avenue
13
Turn right onto NY 96
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
0.4 mi·54 sec·Owego Street
15
Continue on NY 96
2.3 mi·3 min·Owego Road
16
Continue on NY 96
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 96
17
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
1.7 mi·3 min·NY 96
18
At end of road, turn right onto NY 96
335 ft·15 sec·Main Street
19
Turn left onto NY 17C; NY 96
0.1 mi·20 sec·Park Street
20
Turn slight left onto Susquehanna River Bridge Road
89 ft·3 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
21
Continue on NY 96
0.3 mi·45 sec·Susquehanna River Bridge Road
22
Turn left onto NY 434
2.0 mi·3 min·Southside Drive
23
Take the ramp
372 ft·9 sec
24
Merge onto I 86
24 mi·28 min·Southern Tier Expressway
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
29
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
30
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
32
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
34
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
38
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
39
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
40
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
41
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
43
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
44
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
45
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
46
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
47
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
48
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
49
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
50
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
51
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
52
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
53
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 21-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for potential traffic, especially as you near Brooklyn. With only one stop suggested and a fuel cost of around $40, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 63.3 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway service areas can sometimes be spaced out on the Keystone Shortway.
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 120.2 miles from Catharine, NY, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 53 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.2 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Catharine, 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 Catharine, NY
This is one driving day of about 240.4 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Catharine, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.2 mi from Catharine, NY
· 2h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.57 one way
$79.14 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$42.79
$85.58
premium
$4.92
$46.59
$93.19
diesel
$5.61
$53.08
$106.15
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
$40
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
EV Truck/SUV
96.2
1
$33.66
$15.39
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Catharine, NY
Night
in Catharine on Friday
Local time
10:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Night
in Brooklyn on Friday
Local time
10:16 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
10 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
5h 21m 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 Catharine, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 240.4 miles and takes about 5h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Keystone Shortway, I 81, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.2 miles from Catharine, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.57 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 32 significant decision points across 240.4 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 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Catharine, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
