Origin
East Syracuse, NY
Late night in East Syracuse on Thursday
Local time
12:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from East Syracuse, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
250.1 mi
403 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 59m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
East Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Driving from East Syracuse to New York City covers 250.1 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 12 minutes. Because this journey is highly manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You will primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $39 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional climate throughout the drive. This highway-focused route is straightforward and efficient for travelers looking to move between these two New York hubs quickly.
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
125.1 miles from East Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as 71% of your travel time will be spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with your longest uninterrupted stretch being 128.4 miles along I-81. The drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced character rather than offering the winding, technical turns of local backroads. As you transition between the interstate segments, the transition between the segments remains seamless and predictable. You can anticipate a steady, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over the varied terrain of smaller, secondary routes.
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 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 128.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,813 ft
34 ft
Total Climb
2,069 ft
Total Descent
2,467 ft
Highest Point
1,813 ft
~160.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,779 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 250.1 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 81 South: Binghamton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
7
79.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
133.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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...
7
245.2 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
245.5 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Syracuse, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
133.2 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
via US 6
Milford
133.9 mi in
|
~2h 41m
|
via I 84; I 380
Newark
225.6 mi in
|
~4h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 128.4 mi | 2h 32m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| I 690 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Newark-Jersey City Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.4 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Syracuse, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 290
97 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Manlius Street
2
Turn left onto Burnet Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnet Avenue
3
Turn left onto NY 635
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Thompson Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 690 West: Syracuse
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 690
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
I-81
9
Continue on I 81
73 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
15
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
17
Continue on I 280
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17A
Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
19
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight lane.
24
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
25
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
26
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
28
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 12-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help keep you refreshed. Since you are covering significant highway mileage, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods near the city. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 128.4-mile stretch on I-81 to ensure you don't need to exit prematurely for a refill. With a total trip cost of $39 for gas, this route is budget-friendly and allows you to reach New York City without extensive planning. Use your single recommended stop to break up the drive, ensuring you remain alert for the final arrival phase.
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 125.1 miles from East Syracuse, NY, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.4 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.1 miles or 2h 30m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY
This is one driving day of about 250.1 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from East Syracuse, 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 81 for about 128.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.1 mi from East Syracuse, NY · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 125.1 miles from East Syracuse, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.4 miles.
Arriving in New York City, NY
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.17 one way
$82.34 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.52 | $89.03 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.47 | $96.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.22 | $110.44 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.14
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: 87.5 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 | 75 | 0 | $26.26 | $12.00 |
| Efficient EV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.88 | $10.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100 | 1 | $35.01 | $16.01 |
Gas CO2
88 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
New York City, NY
Late night in New York City on Thursday
Local time
12:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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
23 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 12m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from East Syracuse, NY to New York City, NY covers 250.1 miles and takes about 5h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.1 miles from East Syracuse, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.17 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 250.1 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Syracuse, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 34 ft to 1,813 ft elevation with about 2,069 ft of total climbing.
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