Origin
Elizabethtown, NY
Night in Elizabethtown on Wednesday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabethtown, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Brooklyn, NY
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
905 ft
Total Descent
1,422 ft
Highest Point
914 ft
~59.5 mi in
Elevation Range
909 ft
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
New York
Buffalo
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
Start on US 9; NY 9N
Continue on US 9
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Continue on I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 3
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
Take the exit
Continue on I 278
Take the exit onto NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27
Turn left onto NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$45.73 one way
$91.46 round trip
| 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
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Elizabethtown on Wednesday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Brooklyn on Wednesday
Local time
11:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Elizabethtown, NY or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Elizabethtown, NY or Brooklyn, NY on MapSof.net.