Origin
Elmhurst, NY
Evening in Elmhurst on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmhurst, NY to Suffern, NY
Drive Time
54m
Distance
34.5 mi
55 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmhurst, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Elmhurst to Suffern, you are looking at a straightforward 34.5-mile journey that typically takes about 54 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it is short enough to handle in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via NJ 17, NJ 4, and Franklin Turnpike to make your way across the Northeast. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an economical drive for commuters or casual travelers. Because both the origin and destination are located within New York, you will find the transition between these two points relatively seamless and efficient.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.2 miles from Elmhurst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 73% of this 34.5-mile drive is spent on major roads. The terrain shifts from dense urban environments toward the more suburban feel of Suffern as you progress along the route. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch of driving on NJ 17, which spans 10.8 miles. While the drive is largely characterized by fast-paced highway segments, the transition onto local roads like Franklin Turnpike adds a bit of variety to the overall pace. It is a functional and direct drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over a leisurely, winding pace.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 17 and NJ 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 34.5 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 2.1 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, Bronx
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan...
9
5.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
9
10 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washingto...
9
12.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
9
30.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
Towns Along This Route
Between Elmhurst, NY and Suffern, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island, Harlem River Drive North, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
Manhattan
2.1 mi in
|
~5m
|
via I 278
Bronx
2.1 mi in
|
~5m
|
via I 278
Randalls Island
5.6 mi in
|
~12m
Harlem River Drive North
6.6 mi in
|
~14m
Njtp South: Hackensack
12.3 mi in
|
~23m
Gsp South
19.4 mi in
|
~33m
Gsp North
19.4 mi in
|
~33m
Newark
19.4 mi in
|
~33m
Mahwah
19.4 mi in
|
~33m
Franklin Turnpike
30.6 mi in
|
~48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 17 | 10.8 mi | 13m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Franklin Turnpike | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Harlem River Drive | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Robert F. Kennedy Bridge | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Queens Boulevard | 1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 17
— 10.8 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, NY and Suffern, NY.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
90 ft
·
7 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Turn left onto NY 25
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Queens Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn slight right
216 ft
·
8 sec
4
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Queens Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
6
Merge onto I 278
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, Bronx
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto GCP; I 278
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Central Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 278
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
13
Keep slight right at fork
127 ft
·
3 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto HRD
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Harlem River Drive
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 24
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 95; US 1
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
20
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
21
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Use the none lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 4
Use the none / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, Mahwah
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 17
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
NJ 17
Use the none lane.
31
Continue on NJ 17
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
NJ 17
Use the none lane.
32
Take the exit
474 ft
·
13 sec
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
33
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
this road
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
34
Keep slight right at fork
428 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Franklin Turnpike, Suffern
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Turn straight onto CR 507
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Franklin Turnpike
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn sharp right onto NY 59
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Lafayette Avenue
37
Turn slight right onto Washington Avenue
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
Washington Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 54-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on NJ 17 is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, given the short total distance of 34.5 miles. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind, but rest assured that you likely won't need to refuel mid-trip unless you are running very low. Because a significant portion of this drive relies on highway travel, keep a close eye on navigation apps for real-time updates on potential congestion along the major corridors. Embracing the short duration of this trip allows you to reach your destination in Suffern with minimal fatigue.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 17.2 miles from Elmhurst, NY, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.8 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 34.5 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.2 miles or 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffern, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY
This is one driving day of about 34.5 miles and 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmhurst, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NJ 17 for about 10.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.2 mi from Elmhurst, NY · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Elmhurst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Suffern, NY
The final approach into Suffern, 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 Suffern, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.62 one way
$11.23 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $6.09 | $12.17 |
| premium | $4.88 | $6.63 | $13.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.66 | $15.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.23
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Franklin Turnpike
(3.3 mi)
$0.23
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
$6
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.62 | $1.66 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.02 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.83 | $2.21 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Suffern, NY
Evening in Suffern on Sunday
Local time
5:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elmhurst, NY to Suffern, NY covers 34.5 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 17, NJ 4, Franklin Turnpike. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.2 miles from Elmhurst, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 34.5 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 2.1 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmhurst, NY and Suffern, NY, road signs point toward Manhattan, Bronx, Randalls Island, Harlem River Drive North, Njtp South: Hackensack and Gsp South - among others.
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