Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
361.4 mi
582 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Clarkson to Manhattan covers a distance of 361.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 51 minutes. Because this journey is relatively manageable, you can easily complete it as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance across New York State. While the trip connects two distinct locations within the Northeast, the route relies heavily on local roads rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward drive, but the reliance on local connections means you should be prepared for a more active driving experience than a standard highway cruise.
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
180.7 miles from Clarkson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
This journey is best described as a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, you will navigate various local roads, including Sweden-Walker Road and Brockport-Spencerport Road, before transitioning toward I-490 East. The route features a 0% highway share, meaning you won't be cruising on open interstates for long stretches. In fact, your longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Sweden-Walker Road, emphasizing the frequent turns and shifts in road type. Expect a dynamic driving environment that changes character as you progress from Clarkson toward your final destination in Manhattan.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden-Walker Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brockport-Spencerport Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 490 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Western Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| New York State Thruway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| NY 414 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 414 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Clarkson, NY and Manhattan, NY.
Start on West Ridge Road
Turn right onto Sweden-Walker Road
Turn left onto Brockport-Spencerport Road
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on I 490 East: Rochester
Merge slight right onto Western Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Albany
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
Take the exit slight right toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Keep slight right
Continue on State Route 414
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn left onto Auburn Road
Continue on Clark Street Road
Turn right onto State Street
Turn left onto Dill Street
Continue on Loop Road
Turn left onto Genesee Street
Continue on West Genesee Street Road
Turn right onto East Lake Street
Continue on East Lake Road
Continue on State Route 41
Continue on East Lake Road
Continue on State Highway 41
Turn right onto North West Street
Take the ramp left
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Binghamton
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Scranton
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Continue on I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Keep slight right to continue on I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Stroudsburg
Merge slight right onto Keystone Shortway
Keep slight right to continue on Christopher Columbus Highway
Keep slight left to continue on I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Keep slight right to continue on Leonia, Teaneck
Turn right onto Leonia
Turn straight onto Degraw Avenue
Continue on Fort Lee Road
Continue on Main Street
Take the ramp left toward George Washington Bridge
Merge slight left onto Bergen Boulevard
Take the exit slight left toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Continue on George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Take the exit slight right toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Keep slight right to continue on NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Merge slight left onto Henry Hudson Parkway
Take the exit slight right 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 Technology
Continue on West 79th Street
Turn left onto Broadway
Turn right onto West 86th Street
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
Arrive at your destination
To make the most of your 361.4-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since this is a turn-heavy route, leaving early in the day will help you navigate the local sections while visibility is at its best. Keep your fuel budget of $57 in mind, as local roads may offer different refueling options than major highways. Because there is no significant highway percentage, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns throughout the journey. A helpful tip is to map out your primary turns on Sweden-Walker Road and Brockport-Spencerport Road in advance, as the lack of long highway stretches makes navigation a bit more involved than a typical point-to-point interstate route.
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.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.7 miles or 2h 55m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarkson, NY
This is one driving day of about 361.4 miles and 5h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.7 mi from Clarkson, NY · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 180.7 miles from Clarkson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$57.04 one way
$114.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $63.76 | $127.51 |
| premium | $4.86 | $69.16 | $138.33 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $66.79 | $133.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
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
$57
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.4 | 1 | $37.95 | $17.35 |
| Efficient EV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.62 | $14.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.6 | 1 | $50.60 | $23.13 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Clarkson on Saturday
Local time
12:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Manhattan on Saturday
Local time
12:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
53°F
Syracuse, NY
181 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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