Origin
Elizabethtown, NY
Night in Elizabethtown on Wednesday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabethtown, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
270.7 mi
436 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
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.
Elizabethtown, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Elizabethtown to New York City covers 270.7 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 28 minutes. Because the route stays within the Northeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural shift as you move from the Adirondacks toward the metropolitan bustle of NYC. This trip is manageable as a single-day journey, especially since it only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the trek. While it functions well as a direct drive, having the flexibility to adjust your pace makes the 270.7-mile distance feel much less daunting. It is a straightforward connection that links the quiet northern reaches of New York State directly to the heart of the 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
135.4 miles from Elizabethtown, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from rural corridors to high-traffic urban approaches. With 59% of the route on highways, you will spend a significant portion of your time on the I-87 and the Adirondack Northway. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.6 miles on the I-87, which provides a steady rhythm before the road character shifts as you approach the city. The final segments involve navigating NJ 17, marking a distinct change from the open highway stretches found earlier in the trip. Overall, the route balances long, consistent highway cruising with the more technical, navigation-heavy demands of entering the New York City area.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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
941 ft
34 ft
Total Climb
874 ft
Total Descent
1,405 ft
Highest Point
941 ft
~19.3 mi in
Elevation Range
907 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 270.7 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 117.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese 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...
7
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
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
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 New York City, 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 | 2 mi | 4m |
| NY 17 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabethtown, NY and New York City, 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
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
20
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 28-minute drive, plan your departure to avoid peak congestion near your destination. Since you only have one designated stop, choose a location that allows you to refuel comfortably without deviating too far from your path. Keep a close eye on the transition from the Adirondack Northway to the final local roads, as traffic patterns can shift quickly. If you are prone to fatigue, use that single stop to fully stretch your legs, as the long 118.6-mile stretch on the I-87 can be mentally taxing. Staying flexible with your timing is your best strategy for ensuring a smooth arrival in New York City.
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 135.4 miles from Elizabethtown, NY, or about 2h 42m 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.4 miles or 2h 42m 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 22m
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 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 270.7 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 135.4 mi from Elizabethtown, NY · 2h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.4 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.
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
$44.56 one way
$89.12 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $48.18 | $96.36 |
| premium | $4.92 | $52.47 | $104.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.77 | $119.53 |
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
$45
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.2 | 1 | $28.42 | $12.99 |
| Efficient EV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.69 | $10.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.90 | $17.32 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Night in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
11:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
SW 6 to 14 mph
9% chance
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
42 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elizabethtown, NY to New York City, NY covers 270.7 miles and takes about 5h 28m 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 135.4 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 $44.56 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 17 significant decision points across 270.7 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 117.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235.1 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elizabethtown, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 34 ft to 941 ft elevation with about 874 ft of total climbing.
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