This 241.5-mile drive from Fairfield, NY, to Staten Island, NY, is estimated to take around 4 hours and 59 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the New York State Thruway and NJ 17, with a portion on State Highway 170. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Northeast region. Consider this a practical option if you're looking for a direct drive with minimal overnight planning needed.
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
120.7 miles from Fairfield, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 241.5-mile route. While 20% of your journey will be on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and state highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 179.9 miles on the New York State Thruway. This suggests a drive that transitions from faster highway speeds to more frequent turns and potentially slower local traffic as you get closer to your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 179.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72.9 miles in near New York State Thruway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 32 significant decision points across 241.5 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 72.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
72.9 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
191 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
192.4 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
222.3 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
7
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fairfield, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike.
Boston
72.9 mi in|~1h 30m|via New York State Thruway
Jersey City
222.2 mi in|~4h 25m|via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
222.2 mi in|~4h 25m|via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
222.3 mi in|~4h 25m
Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike
223.8 mi in|~4h 28m|via I 78; NJTP
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
179.9 mi
3h 27m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
State Highway 170
5.5 mi
8m
New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
4.7 mi
5m
NJ 440
4.5 mi
6m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
NY 169
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 179.9 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on CR 142
59 ft·2 sec·Hard Scrabble Road
2
Turn left onto NY 29
0.7 mi·58 sec·State Highway 29
3
Turn right onto NY 170
5.5 mi·8 min·State Highway 170
4
Continue on NY 170
1.3 mi·2 min·East Monroe Street
5
Turn sharp left onto Moreland Street
0.2 mi·50 sec·Moreland Street
6
Turn right onto Ward Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Ward Street
7
Turn left onto NY 169
164 ft·5 sec·River Road
8
Turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.1 mi·14 sec·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
9
Continue on NY 169
2.0 mi·3 min·NY 169
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
11
Turn straight
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East
12
Merge onto I 90
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·New York State Thruway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
15
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
16
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
18
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
23
Continue on NJ 139
0.3 mi·27 sec·12th Street Viaduct
24
Take the exit
236 ft·9 sec
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto Jersey Avenue
463 ft·23 sec·Jersey Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139
408 ft·5 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78; NJTP
4.7 mi·5 min·New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
Toward NJTP: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 14AToward NJ 440: BayonneUse the right lane.
29
Continue on Port Jersey Boulevard
0.3 mi·17 sec·Port Jersey Boulevard
Toward NJ 440
30
Take the exit
357 ft·8 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Chosin Few WayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 440 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto NJ 440
4.5 mi·6 min·NJ 440
33
Continue on NY 440
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 10EToward I 278 East: Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
35
Merge onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
38
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
40
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
41
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
42
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
43
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
44
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
45
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
46
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
47
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
For this approximately 5-hour drive, departing early in the morning can help you avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the New York metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, plan for a brief break around the halfway point or when you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $40. Given the duration, it’s manageable as a single-day trip, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert for navigation changes and unexpected delays is key, particularly as you enter New Jersey and then Staten Island.
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 120.7 miles from Fairfield, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.9 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.7 miles or 2h 25m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, NY
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Fairfield, 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 New York State Thruway for about 179.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.7 mi from Fairfield, NY
· 2h 25m into the drive
The midpoint is around 120.7 miles from Fairfield, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.9 miles.
Arriving in Staten Island, NY
The final approach into Staten Island, 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 Staten Island, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 224.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.75 one way
$79.50 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$42.99
$85.97
premium
$4.92
$46.81
$93.61
diesel
$5.61
$53.32
$106.64
Estimated Tolls: $9.64
New York State Thruway
(179.9 mi)$8.99
New Jersey Turnpike
(4.7 mi)$0.65
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
$40
Tolls
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 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
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
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 Jun 21, 2022
Origin
Fairfield, NY
Night
in Fairfield on Friday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Night
in Staten Island on Friday
Local time
9:32 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
121 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
5 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 59m 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 Fairfield, NY to Staten Island, NY covers 241.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NJ 17, State Highway 170. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.7 miles from Fairfield, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.75 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 32 significant decision points across 241.5 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 72.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Fairfield, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Castle Clinton National Monument, Statue Of Liberty National Monument and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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.
