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Trip from Colden, NY to Washington Heights, NY

Drive Time

7h 34m

Distance

364.4 mi

587 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 25m ★
6 AM
7h 35m
8 AM
7h 55m
10 AM
7h 42m
12 PM
7h 40m
3 PM
7h 43m
5 PM
7h 54m
8 PM
7h 29m

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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Downtown Washington Heights, NY, NY

Washington Heights, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

The drive from Colden, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 364.4 miles and takes about 7h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.32 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

182.2 miles from Colden, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 34m highway drive covering 364.4 miles, with most of the trip on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. The longest continuous stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 49 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 245.2 miles in near US 6.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 364.4 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 245.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 360.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 32 key points

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

9
245.2 mi into trip | ~5h 10m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

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...
8
359.8 mi into trip | ~7h 26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
360.1 mi into trip | ~7h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
363.9 mi into trip | ~7h 33m in | US 9

Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street

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 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
364 mi into trip | ~7h 33m in | US 9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward West 178th Street

Towns Along This Route

Between Colden, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

245.2 mi in | ~5h 10m | via US 6

Milford

246 mi in | ~5h 11m | via I 84; I 380

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Genesee Expressway 22.2 mi 25m
State Highway 39 18.1 mi 25m
Nunda-Dansville Road 12.4 mi 16m
Olean Road 7.5 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colden, NY and Washington Heights, NY.

1

Start on Heath Road

9 ft · 3 sec · Heath Road
2

Turn left onto NY 240

2.4 mi · 4 min · State Road
3

Turn left onto Holland Glenwood Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · Holland Glenwood Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto Center Street

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Center Street
5

Turn right onto Holland Glenwood Road

4.9 mi · 7 min · Holland Glenwood Road
6

Turn right onto NY 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
7

Continue on NY 16

7.3 mi · 10 min · Olean Road
8

Continue on NY 16; NY 39

0.6 mi · 56 sec · State Highway 16
9

Continue on NY 16; NY 39

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Olean Road
10

Turn left onto NY 39

1.1 mi · 2 min · State Route 39
11

Continue on NY 39

2.3 mi · 5 min · West Main Street
12

Continue on NY 39

18 mi · 25 min · State Highway 39
13

Turn right onto NY 436

1.8 mi · 2 min · Denton Corners Road
14

Turn right onto NY 19A; NY 436

2.2 mi · 3 min · NY 19A; NY 436
15

Turn left onto NY 436

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Hamilton Street
16

Turn left onto NY 436

360 ft · 8 sec · Main Street
17

Continue on NY 436

5.6 mi · 8 min · Portage Street
18

Continue on NY 436

1.0 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
19

Continue on NY 436

12 mi · 16 min · Nunda-Dansville Road
20

Continue on NY 436

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ossian Street
21

Turn right onto Spruce Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Spruce Street
22

Turn slight right onto NY 36

0.9 mi · 1 min · Clara Barton Street
23

Continue on NY 36

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Hornell Road
24

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
25

Merge onto I 390

22 mi · 25 min · Genesee Expressway
26

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
28

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.
29

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.
30

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
31

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
32

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
34

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
36

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
38

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
39

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
40

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
41

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
43

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
45

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
46

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9
Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9

0.2 mi · 42 sec · US 9
Toward West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Turn left onto US 9

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
49

Arrive at destination

US 9

Trip Plan

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 182.2 miles from Colden, NY, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 182.2 miles or 3h 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 6h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Colden, 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 Colden, NY

This is one driving day of about 364.4 miles and 7h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colden, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 182.2 mi from Colden, NY · 3h 55m into the drive

Downtown Syracuse, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Syracuse, NY

182 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Bath, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Syracuse, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182.2 miles from Colden, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.

Arriving in Washington Heights, NY

The final approach into Washington Heights, 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 Washington Heights, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 364.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.32 one way

$118.65 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $64.29 $128.57
premium $4.88 $70.05 $140.11
diesel $5.64 $80.96 $161.91

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

George Washington Bridge $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

$59

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$100–$125

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 109.3 1 $38.26 $17.49
Efficient EV 91.1 1 $31.88 $14.58
EV Truck/SUV 145.8 1 $51.02 $23.32

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

43 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 days ago

Origin

Colden, NY

Morning in Colden on Monday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington Heights, NY

Morning in Washington Heights on Monday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

10 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

7h 34m 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 Colden, NY to Washington Heights, NY covers 364.4 miles and takes about 7h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 182.2 miles from Colden, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.32 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 364.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 245.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 359.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 360.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Colden, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

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