Trip from Clifton Park, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

174.5 mi

281 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 28m ★

6 AM

3h 40m

8 AM

4h 5m

10 AM

3h 49m

12 PM

3h 46m

3 PM

3h 50m

5 PM

4h 4m

8 PM

3h 33m

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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Clifton Park, NY

Abhishek Navlakha

Brooklyn, NY

Cristian Pedroso

Trip Overview

Traveling from Clifton Park to Brooklyn covers 179.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 18 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $28 to cover the trip. Since the drive is entirely within the Northeast region of New York, you will remain within familiar territory as you head toward the city. This route is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local roads rather than sticking to major interstates. It serves as a straightforward, practical link between the Capital District and the five boroughs.

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

87.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface streets and local corridors like Route 146 and Halfmoon Parkway throughout the journey. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you should prepare for a more involved experience that requires frequent attention to turns. The path demands a steady focus as you transition through various local settings. It is a technical drive that feels quite different from a high-speed cruise, so keep your navigation tools handy for the many turns along the way.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near I 87.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 174.5 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 13.3 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

13.3 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...

131.9 mi into trip | ~2h 36m 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

133.3 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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

163.2 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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

167.9 mi into trip | ~3h 26m 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 Along This Route

Between Clifton Park, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken - among others.

Albany

13.3 mi in | ~18m | via I 87

New York

13.3 mi in | ~18m | via I 87

Buffalo

13.3 mi in | ~18m | via I 87

Jersey City

163.1 mi in | ~3h 15m | via US 1; US 9

Pulaski Skyway

163.1 mi in | ~3h 15m | via US 1; US 9

Hoboken

163.2 mi in | ~3h 15m

Manhattan

164.8 mi in | ~3h 18m | via I 78

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 87	118.6 mi	2h 17m
NJ 17	22.7 mi	29m
Adirondack Northway	12.4 mi	16m
NJ 3	4.2 mi	4m
Tonnelle Avenue	2.6 mi	3m
Holland Tunnel	1.9 mi	4m
NY 27	1.8 mi	3m
Caton Avenue	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 87 — 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clifton Park, NY and Brooklyn, NY.

Start on Old Route 146

75 ft · 5 sec · Old Route 146

Turn right onto US 9

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Halfmoon Parkway

Turn slight right

417 ft · 16 sec

Turn straight onto NY 146

0.4 mi · 41 sec · State Highway 146

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 87 South: Albany Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 87

12 mi · 16 min · Adirondack Northway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87

Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87

Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87

Toward I 87 South: New York Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17

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.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward NJ 3 East: New York

Merge onto NJ 3

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 3

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 1; US 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the left 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

1.9 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel

Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan

Take the exit

428 ft · 14 sec

Toward NY 9A

Turn slight left onto Laight Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Laight Street

Toward NY 9A

At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

2.6 mi · 5 min

Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the left lane.

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.5 mi · 2 min · NY 27

Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 47 sec · NY 27

Exit 5 Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Caton Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on NY 27

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Linden Boulevard

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue

Arrive at destination

Nostrand Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 18-minute trek, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable traffic congestion near your destination. You have the flexibility of a one-day trip, but factoring in at least one planned stop will help break up the technical nature of the local road driving. Since this route relies heavily on Route 146 and local parkways rather than high-speed highways, check your fuel levels before departing to ensure you stay within your $28 estimate. My top tip for this specific drive is to keep your eyes peeled for signage on the local roads; because there is no single long stretch, missing a turn can easily add time to your arrival in Brooklyn.

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 87.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY, or about 1h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.3 miles or 1h 44m 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 50m

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 Clifton Park, 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 Clifton Park, NY

This is one driving day of about 174.5 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton Park, 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 87 for about 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.3 mi from Clifton Park, NY · 1h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

87 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

Ramapo, NY to Brooklyn, NY

44.1 mi · 1h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.

Arriving in Brooklyn, NY

The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, NY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.41 one way

$56.82 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$30.78	$61.57
premium	$4.88	$33.55	$67.09
diesel	$5.64	$38.77	$77.54

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Holland Tunnel $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

$28

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.4	$18.32	$8.38
Efficient EV	43.6	$15.27	$6.98
EV Truck/SUV	69.8	$24.43	$11.17

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Clifton Park, NY

Afternoon in Clifton Park on Sunday

Local time

4:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn, NY

Afternoon in Brooklyn on Sunday

Local time

4:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

87 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

13 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

3h 40m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Clifton Park, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 174.5 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 87, NJ 17, Adirondack Northway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.3 miles from Clifton Park, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.41 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.

Between Clifton Park, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken - among others.

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Trip from Clifton Park, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

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 Brooklyn, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Clifton Park, NY

Brooklyn, NY

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 40m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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