This 69.8-mile drive from Cold Spring, NY to Brooklyn, NY is a straightforward, one-day trip that takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. It's a highway-focused journey, with 69% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it an efficient way to get from the Hudson Valley to New York City. You can expect a fuel cost of around $11 for this trip. Since it's a relatively short drive, it’s perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. Both your origin and destination are within the Northeast region, so you'll be navigating familiar territory.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Cold Spring, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 69.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with a significant 69% of the 69.8 miles spent on faster roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, including an uninterrupted stretch of 18 miles, which offers a taste of more open driving. The route then transitions to NJ 17 and the Garden State Parkway Connector, maintaining a consistent highway feel. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, with limited opportunities for scenic detours as you prioritize getting to your destination efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Palisades Interstate Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 18 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.8 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
27.2 mi into trip|~37m in
Take the exit toward I 87 West, I 287 West: Albany
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 9W
Toward I 87 West, I 287 West: Albany
8
29.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward Garden State Parkway, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14A
Toward Garden State Parkway, New Jersey
8
41.3 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington Bridge
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 163
Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington...
8
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
8
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cold Spring, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
New Jersey
29.5 mi in|~41m
Jersey City
58.4 mi in|~1h 17m|via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
58.4 mi in|~1h 17m|via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
58.5 mi in|~1h 17m
Manhattan
60.1 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 78
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Palisades Interstate Parkway
18 mi
21m
NJ 17
9.3 mi
11m
Garden State Parkway Connector
8.1 mi
9m
Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
5 mi
8m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
State Highway 9D
3 mi
5m
Garden State Parkway
2.8 mi
3m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Palisades Interstate Parkway
— 18 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cold Spring, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 301
52 ft·9 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 9D
0.2 mi·24 sec·Chestnut Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 9D
0.3 mi·34 sec·State Highway 9D
4
Continue on NY 9D
2.7 mi·4 min·Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
5
Continue on NY 9D
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 9D
6
Continue on NY 9D
358 ft·7 sec·Route 9D
7
Continue on NY 9D
1.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 9D
8
Continue on NY 9D
2.3 mi·4 min·Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
9
Continue on NY 9D
0.2 mi·26 sec·Bear Mountain-Beacon trail = yes
10
Turn straight
209 ft·10 sec
Toward US 6 West, US 202 West: Bear Mountain
11
Merge onto US 6; US 202
0.5 mi·57 sec·Bear Mountain Bridge
12
Turn slight right onto US 6; US 202
319 ft·7 sec·US 6; US 202
13
Enter roundabout onto US 6
295 ft·4 sec·Palisades Interstate Parkway
14
Continue on US 6
2.5 mi·3 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Palisades Interstate Parkway
15 mi·17 min·Palisades Interstate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 9WToward I 87 West, I 287 West: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 87; I 287
1.9 mi·2 min·New York State Thruway
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 14AToward Garden State Parkway, New JerseyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Garden State Parkway Connector
8.1 mi·9 min·Garden State Parkway Connector
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto GSP
2.8 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 163Toward NJ 17 South: Paramus, George Washington BridgeUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto NJ 17
9.3 mi·11 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
24
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
28
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
29
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
30
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
32
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
33
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
34
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
36
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
37
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
38
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
41
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 41-minute duration, you can easily complete this 69.8-mile trip in a single day. Consider departing earlier in the morning to avoid potential traffic as you approach Brooklyn. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, though you won't need extensive refueling stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 18 miles on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, so plan your breaks before or after this segment. Since there are no designated stops in the data, flexibility is key; you can choose to stop for a quick break in a town along NJ 17 or wait until you reach Brooklyn.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.9 miles from Cold Spring, NY, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18 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 15 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Cold Spring, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cold Spring, NY
This is one driving day of about 69.8 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Cold Spring, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Palisades Interstate Parkway for about 18 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.9 mi from Cold Spring, NY
· 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Cold Spring, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.49 one way
$22.98 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.42
$24.85
premium
$4.92
$13.53
$27.06
diesel
$5.61
$15.41
$30.82
Estimated Tolls: $16.75
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(11 mi)$0.66
New York State Thruway
(1.9 mi)$0.09
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
$11
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.9
0
$7.33
$3.35
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.11
$2.79
EV Truck/SUV
27.9
0
$9.77
$4.47
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Cold Spring, NY
Evening
in Cold Spring on Thursday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Evening
in Brooklyn on Thursday
Local time
7:58 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
S 12 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 3:25PM EDT until April 14 at 4:15PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 3:13PM EDT by NWS Albany 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
18 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
1h 41m 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 Cold Spring, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 69.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Palisades Interstate Parkway, NJ 17, Garden State Parkway Connector. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.9 miles from Cold Spring, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.8 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cold Spring, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Manhattan.
Yes. Nearby national parks include African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
