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Trip from Elizabethtown, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 42m

Distance

277.8 mi

447 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 29m ★
6 AM
5h 42m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 51m
12 PM
5h 49m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 7m
8 PM
5h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

human settlement in Essex County, New York, United States of America

Elizabethtown, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Brooklyn, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Elizabethtown to Brooklyn covers 283 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, it works well as a straightforward road trip without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-87 South and the Adirondack Northway to navigate your way south. Expect to budget roughly $45 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the Adirondacks down into the urban landscape of New York City.

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

138.9 miles from Elizabethtown, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise. While you will navigate sections of I-87, the route requires your full attention due to the winding nature of the roads. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical than a standard interstate sprint. There is no single long-distance stretch on Highway 9, meaning you will frequently adjust your pace as the road conditions shift. Expect a dynamic behind-the-wheel experience that demands active engagement throughout the entire 283-mile journey.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

914 ft 5 ft

Total Climb

905 ft

Total Descent

1,422 ft

Highest Point

914 ft

~59.5 mi in

Elevation Range

909 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 116.5 miles in near I 87.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 277.8 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 116.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 236.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

9
116.5 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in | I 87

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
235.1 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | NY 17

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
236.5 mi into trip | ~4h 39m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
266.4 mi into trip | ~5h 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
271.1 mi into trip | ~5h 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 Elizabethtown, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.

Albany

116.5 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 87

New York

116.5 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 87

Buffalo

116.5 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 87

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 87 118.6 mi 2h 17m
Adirondack Northway 103.7 mi 2h 1m
NJ 17 22.7 mi 29m
US Highway 9 12.1 mi 16m
NJ 3 4.2 mi 4m
Tonnelle Avenue 2.6 mi 3m
Holland Tunnel 1.9 mi 4m
NY 27 1.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 87 — 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, NY and Brooklyn, NY.

1

Start on US 9; NY 9N

0.4 mi · 1 min · Court Street
2

Continue on US 9

12 mi · 16 min · US Highway 9
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 87 South
4

Merge onto I 87

104 mi · 2 hr 1 min · Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

0.3 mi · 31 sec · I 87
Exit 1E-W Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on I 87

0.5 mi · 51 sec · I 87
Exit 1W Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 87

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
10

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

23 mi · 29 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
12

Merge onto NJ 3

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on US 1; US 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the left lane.
16

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
17

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
18

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

1.9 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
20

Take the exit

428 ft · 14 sec
Toward NY 9A
21

Turn slight left onto Laight Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
22

At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Street
Use the straight lane.
23

Take the exit

2.6 mi · 5 min
Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the left lane.
24

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway
25

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.5 mi · 2 min · NY 27
Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26

Take the exit onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 47 sec · NY 27
Exit 5 Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center Use the slight right lane.
27

Turn left onto NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on NY 27

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29

Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue
30

Arrive at destination

Nostrand Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Since this route involves navigating through various road types, leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion as you approach the city. Keep your $45 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the way to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to choose your departure time based on your personal preference. Keep a close eye on your navigation during the turn-heavy portions of the drive to stay on track as you transition toward Brooklyn.

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 138.9 miles from Elizabethtown, NY, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 61 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.9 miles or 2h 46m 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 29m

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 Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, NY

This is one driving day of about 277.8 miles and 5h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Elizabethtown, 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 87 for about 118.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.9 mi from Elizabethtown, NY · 2h 46m into the drive

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

139 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Brooklyn, NY

44.1 mi · 1h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

South Glens Falls, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.9 miles from Elizabethtown, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.

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.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Brooklyn, 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

$45.73 one way

$91.46 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $49.45 $98.89
premium $4.92 $53.84 $107.69
diesel $5.61 $61.33 $122.67

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

$46

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.3 1 $29.17 $13.33
Efficient EV 69.5 0 $24.31 $11.11
EV Truck/SUV 111.1 1 $38.89 $17.78

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 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 as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Elizabethtown, NY

Night in Elizabethtown on Wednesday

Local time

11:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn, NY

Night in Brooklyn on Wednesday

Local time

11:00 PM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 3 to 12 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

57°F

Ramapo, NY

139 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

44 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 42m 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 Elizabethtown, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 277.8 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 87, Adirondack Northway, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.9 miles from Elizabethtown, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.73 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 21 significant decision points across 277.8 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 116.5 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 236.5 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Elizabethtown, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 5 ft to 914 ft elevation with about 905 ft of total climbing.

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