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Create accountDrive Time
3h 26m
Distance
167.5 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton Park, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Clifton Park to New York City covers approximately 167.5 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the range of a single-day trip, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $26 for fuel to get you from the Capital District down to the city. The route stays entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the more suburban landscapes of upstate New York into the dense urban environment of the city. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is best tackled in a single push, allowing you to spend your time exploring the destination rather than managing multiple days on the road.
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
83.7 miles from Clifton Park, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
This trip is defined by a high-speed interstate experience, with 88% of the journey spent on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Adirondack Northway and I-87, which accounts for a substantial 118.6-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. As you approach your destination, the path transitions from the open interstate to the more localized flow of NJ-17. While the drive is largely a functional highway grind, the transition from rural and suburban corridors into the metropolitan grid requires a shift in focus. Expect a fast-paced environment where consistent highway speeds dominate the majority of your travel time.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
861 ft
Total Descent
1,172 ft
Highest Point
640 ft
~95.7 mi in
Elevation Range
623 ft
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 167.5 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 14.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Between Clifton Park, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Albany
New York
Buffalo
| 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 | 2 mi | 4m |
| NY 17 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
| Conrail Viaduct | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton Park, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on Old Route 146
Turn right onto US 9
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto NY 146
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Continue on I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 3
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Planning your departure is key to managing this 3-hour and 26-minute trek, as traffic patterns near New York City can significantly impact your arrival time. Since the route is manageable in one go, you only need to factor in one planned stop to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your dashboard as you transition off I-87, as the final leg through NJ-17 will demand more attention than the long, straight highway stretches you navigated earlier. Because you only have a $26 fuel budget, topping off your tank in Clifton Park before heading south is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so try to time your arrival to avoid the peak congestion that often plagues the final approach into the city.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 167.5 miles and 3h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Clifton Park, NY · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 83.7 miles from Clifton Park, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$27.27 one way
$54.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $29.55 | $59.10 |
| premium | $4.88 | $32.20 | $64.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.21 | $74.43 |
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
$27
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.59 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.66 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.45 | $10.72 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Clifton Park on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
84 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
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.
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Return Trip
New York City, NY to Clifton Park, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Clifton Park, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.
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