Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Afternoon in East Flatbush on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Flatbush, NY to Nelson, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
248.6 mi
400 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Flatbush, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Nelson, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from East Flatbush, NY to Nelson, NY covers 248.6 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on NY 17, State Highway 8, NJ 17 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.5 miles on NY 17. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.92 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.3 miles from East Flatbush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 119.5 mi | 2h 27m |
| State Highway 8 | 36.8 mi | 42m |
| NJ 17 | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| US 20 | 10.8 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 12 | 10.2 mi | 15m |
| West Street | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| State Route 12B | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Flatbush, NY and Nelson, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Linden Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Caton Avenue
3
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Saint Pauls Place
4
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Parkside Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft
·
5 sec
·
Fort Hamilton Parkway
6
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
Fort Hamilton Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Gowanus Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi
·
4 min
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft
·
10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Use the right lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Vestry Street
16
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
406 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Holland Tunnel
19
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 139 Lower Level
22
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft
·
7 sec
·
Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
420 ft
·
14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
NJ 17
33
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
34
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
I 287; NY 17
35
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi
·
16 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
36
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Use the slight right lane.
37
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NY 17
105 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton
41
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
State Highway 10
42
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Oak Street
43
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 8
44
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Airport Road
45
Continue on NY 8
18 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 8
46
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
West Street
47
Turn right onto NY 12
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
48
Continue on NY 12
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 12
49
Continue on NY 12
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
50
Continue on NY 12B
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 12B
51
Continue on NY 12B
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
52
Continue on NY 12B
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 12B
53
Continue on NY 12B
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
54
Continue on NY 12B
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Utica Street
55
Continue on NY 12B
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 12B
56
Continue on NY 46
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 46
57
Turn left onto US 20; NY 46
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 20; NY 46
58
Turn straight onto US 20; NY 46
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 20; NY 46
59
Arrive at destination
US 20
Trip Plan
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 124.3 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 55 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nelson, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Flatbush, 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 East Flatbush, NY
This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from East Flatbush, 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 NY 17 for about 119.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.3 miles from East Flatbush, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 56.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
4.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
7.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
19.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
56.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.92 one way
$81.84 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.25 | $88.50 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.18 | $96.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.89 | $109.78 |
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
$41
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.75 | $9.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.4 | 1 | $34.80 | $15.91 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Nelson, NY
Afternoon in Nelson on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
3 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
248.6 mi in 5h 28m, mostly highway — 119.5 mi of that is on NY 17.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 248.6 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 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Nelson, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Walton.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
42.4 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via NY 17
Walton
163.9 mi in
|
~3h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in East Flatbush, NY
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Nelson, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nelson, NY before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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