Origin
Chatham, NY
Late night in Chatham on Thursday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chatham, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
140.4 mi
226 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chatham, NY
Peter Olexa
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Chatham down to New York City covers 140.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is relatively short, you can easily handle it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $22 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will transition from the rural Northeast landscape of Chatham into the dense urban environment of New York City by utilizing a combination of the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and State Route 66. This route is efficient for those looking to reach the city quickly while navigating a mix of major arteries and local roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.2 miles from Chatham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 140.4-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more technical segments. About 30% of your time will be spent on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch consisting of 83.1 miles on the New York State Thruway. As you transition off the main thruway and onto NJ 17 and State Route 66, the pace shifts from a steady interstate cruise to a more varied driving experience. You should be prepared for the change in road character as you leave the open stretches behind and navigate toward the denser traffic patterns near your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 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 83.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
571 ft
-1 ft
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
1,491 ft
Highest Point
571 ft
~87.8 mi in
Elevation Range
571 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 140.4 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 17.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Enter roundabout onto NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
9
104.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
106.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
6
136 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chatham, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Catskill, Nyst and Leeds.
Catskill
17.2 mi in
|
~30m
|
via NY 23
Nyst
20.3 mi in
|
~35m
Leeds
20.3 mi in
|
~35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 83.1 mi | 1h 35m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| State Route 66 | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Union Turnpike | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Rhinebeck-Hudson Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Austerlitz Street
34 ft
·
1 sec
·
Austerlitz Street
2
Enter roundabout onto NY 66
111 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on NY 66
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on NY 66
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Hudson Avenue
5
Continue on NY 66
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 66
6
Continue on NY 66
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Union Turnpike
7
Continue on Columbia Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Columbia Street
8
Turn left onto US 9; NY 23B
168 ft
·
4 sec
·
Green Street
9
Continue on US 9; NY 23B
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Columbia Street
10
Turn left onto NY 9G; NY 23B
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North 3rd Street
11
Continue on NY 9G; NY 23B
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
12
Take the ramp
341 ft
·
6 sec
Toward NY 9G, NY 23 West
13
Merge onto NY 9G; NY 23
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Use the right lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto NY 23
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
15
Continue on NY 23
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
16
Continue on NY 23
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
18
Turn right onto CR 23B
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
CR 23B
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
20
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
this road
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
22
Merge onto I 87
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
25
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
27
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
31
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
32
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
33
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
35
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
39
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic entering the city. You should account for at least one stop during the journey to break up the 140.4-mile trip and keep your focus sharp. With a fuel budget of $22, it is wise to fill up before you get too close to the city, where gas prices may fluctuate. Because the route relies on a mix of major roads like the New York State Thruway and local routes, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the transition between the highway and local segments smoothly. Using that single planned stop as a mid-point reset will make the transition from the thruway to local roads much more comfortable.
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 70.2 miles from Chatham, NY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 31 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
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 Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY
This is one driving day of about 140.4 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Chatham, 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 83.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.2 mi from Chatham, NY · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.2 miles from Chatham, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.1 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
$23.11 one way
$46.22 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $24.99 | $49.98 |
| premium | $4.92 | $27.21 | $54.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.00 | $62.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $20.38
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)
$4.16
Union Turnpike
(3.1 mi)
$0.22
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
$23
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.66 | $8.99 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night in New York City on Thursday
Local time
12:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
70 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
38 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
3h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chatham, NY to New York City, NY covers 140.4 miles and takes about 3h 5m 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 Route 66. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.2 miles from Chatham, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.11 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 140.4 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 17.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Chatham, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Catskill, Nyst and Leeds.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from -1 ft to 571 ft elevation with about 1,061 ft of total climbing.
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