Trip from Clarkson, NY to New York City, NY

Drive Time

7h 9m

Distance

332.5 mi

535 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

6h 58m ★

6 AM

7h 9m

8 AM

7h 31m

10 AM

7h 17m

12 PM

7h 15m

3 PM

7h 18m

5 PM

7h 30m

8 PM

7h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Clarkson, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Clarkson to New York City covers 332.5 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this journey fits into a single day, you can comfortably make it a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to cover the distance. The route utilizes a combination of the New York State Thruway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway to navigate through the Northeast. While the drive is manageable for a single driver, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local segments adds a bit of complexity to the trip. Overall, it is a straightforward transit within New York State that offers a clear path between the two points.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

166.2 miles from Clarkson, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a simple highway cruise. While 58% of the journey takes place on highways, you will encounter significant stretches of local roads that require your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.8 miles on I-81, providing a brief period of consistent interstate travel. As you transition between the major thoroughfares and local connectors, the road dynamics shift frequently. This mix ensures the drive remains engaging, though you should be prepared for the constant changes in road type throughout the 7-hour transit.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 51 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,293 ft 472 ft

Total Climb

820 ft

Total Descent

481 ft

Highest Point

1,293 ft

~124.7 mi in

Elevation Range

820 ft

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 14 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Involved — several decision points to watch

This is a demanding drive. With 36 significant decision points across 332.5 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 14 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 162.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 36 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

14 mi into trip | ~18m in

Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 490 East: Rochester

65.2 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in

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

162.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | I 81

Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton

215.5 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | US 6

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...

327.8 mi into trip | ~6h 57m in

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 Along This Route

Between Clarkson, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Clyde

65.2 mi in | ~1h 21m

Mt Pocono

215.5 mi in | ~4h 37m | via US 6

Milford

216.3 mi in | ~4h 38m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

307.9 mi in | ~6h 29m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	98.8 mi	1h 57m
Keystone Shortway	63.3 mi	1h 19m
New York State Thruway	30 mi	34m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
Western Expressway	20.1 mi	26m
Essex Freeway	15.8 mi	20m
East Lake Road	9.9 mi	14m
State Highway 41	9.8 mi	13m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clarkson, NY and New York City, NY.

Start on NY 104

2.0 mi · 2 min · West Ridge Road

Turn right onto NY 260

1.9 mi · 3 min · Sweden-Walker Road

Turn left onto NY 31

2.5 mi · 3 min · Brockport-Spencerport Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on NY 531

7.5 mi · 8 min · NY 531

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 490 East: Rochester Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 490

20 mi · 26 min · Western Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 42 sec

Toward I 90 East: Albany

Merge onto I 90

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 South: Binghamton

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the none lane.

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.

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.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec

Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike

Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel

Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec

Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street

Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Use the straight / none lanes.

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 332.5-mile drive, plan for at least two stops to break up the 7-hour and 9-minute duration. Since this is a single-day trip, departing early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic fluctuations near your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $52 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency and idling time. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, using a real-time navigation tool is a smart way to manage the turn-heavy sections effectively. Prioritize these two planned breaks to stay alert, especially when transitioning off the 98.8-mile stretch on I-81.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 166.2 miles from Clarkson, NY, or about 3h 39m 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 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 166.2 miles or 3h 39m 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 45m

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 Clarkson, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Clarkson, NY

This is one driving day of about 332.5 miles and 7h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clarkson, NY.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks 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 166.2 mi from Clarkson, NY · 3h 39m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cortland, NY

166 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.

Popular next leg

Cortland, NY to New York City, NY

215 mi · 4h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Auburn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cortland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 166.2 miles from Clarkson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 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

$52.48 one way

$104.96 round trip

$4.01/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$58.66	$117.32
premium	$4.86	$63.63	$127.27
diesel	$4.69	$61.45	$122.89

Estimated Tolls: $17.64

Holland Tunnel $16.00

New York State Thruway (30 mi) $1.50

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

$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: 116.3 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	99.8	1	$34.91	$15.96
Efficient EV	83.1	0	$29.09	$13.30
EV Truck/SUV	133	1	$46.55	$21.28

Gas CO2

116 kg

EV CO2

39 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Clarkson, NY

Afternoon in Clarkson on Sunday

Local time

4:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Afternoon in New York City on Sunday

Local time

4:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Sunny

SE 8 to 13 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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

4 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

7h 9m 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 Clarkson, NY to New York City, NY covers 332.5 miles and takes about 7h 9m 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 166.2 miles from Clarkson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.48 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Clarkson, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

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Trip from Clarkson, NY to New York City, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in New York City, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clarkson, NY

New York City, NY

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 9m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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