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Trip from Elmira, NY to Manhattan, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

239 mi

385 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m

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

city in Chemung County, New York, USA

Elmira, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 239-mile journey from Elmira, NY, to Manhattan, NY, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate via the Keystone Shortway and the Southern Tier Expressway, with a significant portion on I-81. With a highway-focused profile, this route is designed for efficient travel. Budget around $39 for fuel, and plan for at least one stop along the way. This drive is a straightforward connection within the Northeast region, moving you from one part of New York to another.

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

119.5 miles from Elmira, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
Southern Tier Expressway 58.7 mi 1h 9m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Henry Hudson Parkway 4.2 mi 6m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
I 95 EXPR 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 80 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmira, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on NY 352

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Church Street
2

Turn right onto NY 14

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Clemens Center Parkway
3

Turn left onto NY 352

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Water Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
5

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

59 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Southern Tier Expressway
6

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.
7

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.
8

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.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
10

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
11

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
17

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
19

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
20

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
22

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
24

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
25

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9
Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown Use the straight lane.
28

Merge onto HH; NY 9A

4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on West 79th Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Turn left onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Broadway
32

Turn right onto West 86th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 86th Street
33

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side Use the straight / left lanes.
34

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 51-minute drive, leaving early in the morning can help you beat traffic, especially as you approach Manhattan. With a total distance of 239 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, making just one planned stop for fuel or a break. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so ensure your tank is full before departing Elmira. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the city, as they can significantly impact your arrival time.

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 119.5 miles from Elmira, NY, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.5 miles or 2h 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elmira, 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 Elmira, NY

This is one driving day of about 239 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Elmira, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 80 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

120 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

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.5 miles from Elmira, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 239

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

0.5 mi

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Owego, New York

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.1

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

1.2 mi

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Triplets Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 153.6

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+15704216566

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 239

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Cafe Luxembourg

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–10:30 pm

+12128737411

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 34.1

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 239

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 239

New York, New York

+19172614093

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 17.1

Waverly, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EVolve NY Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 34.1

Owego, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 51.2

Vestal, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 51.2

Johnson City, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 17.1

Sayre, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Central Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Great Lawn

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 239

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Shakespeare Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Hayden Planetarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 239

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12128498400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 113.8 and 232.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
113.8 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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...
8
228.3 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
228.6 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
232.5 mi into trip | ~4h 39m in | US 9

Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
232.9 mi into trip | ~4h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.34 one way

$78.68 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $42.54 $85.08
premium $4.92 $46.32 $92.65
diesel $5.61 $52.77 $105.54

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

George Washington Bridge $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

$39

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.7 0 $25.10 $11.47
Efficient EV 59.8 0 $20.91 $9.56
EV Truck/SUV 95.6 1 $33.46 $15.30

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Elmira, NY

Afternoon in Elmira on Saturday

Local time

2:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Afternoon in Manhattan on Saturday

Local time

2:11 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Scattered Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy

NE 2 to 7 mph 31% chance Live forecast

49°F

Ramapo, NY

120 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

1 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

4h 51m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 239
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 239
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for about 61% of this 239-mile route. You'll encounter stretches like the 80-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway, offering a more continuous driving experience. While the primary roads are expressways, the overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic byways. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination directly, with a consistent pace for most of the journey.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.8 miles in near US 6.

Driving Effort 10/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 239 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 113.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elmira, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

113.8 mi in | ~2h 16m | via US 6

Milford

114.5 mi in | ~2h 17m | via I 84; I 380

About the Cities

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1624

Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.

Top landmarks

  • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 239 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Manhattan, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 113.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Manhattan, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Elmira, NY or browse trips ending in Manhattan, NY.

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