Freedom, NY to Staten Island, NY is 342.8 miles and takes about 7h 15m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive spans across New York and Pennsylvania, connecting the Northeast regions. Given its duration and highway profile, it's a straightforward trip best suited for a single day of travel. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option if you need to cover ground efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.4 miles from Freedom, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 342.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 78% of the journey on major roads like the Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and the Keystone Shortway. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including one segment of 140.6 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance, with the roads offering a steady pace for most of the 7h 15m duration. It’s less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 56 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 140.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 168.8 miles in near I 81.
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 39 significant decision points across 342.8 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 168.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 39 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
222.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
297.4 mi into trip|~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
328 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
328.2 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Freedom, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
Step-by-step road directions between Freedom, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on CR 23
0.9 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto NY 98
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 98
3
Turn straight onto NY 243
11 mi·16 min·Freedom Rushford
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 19
8.2 mi·12 min·NY 19
5
Turn left onto CR 16
2.3 mi·4 min·County Highway 16
6
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto East Main Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Main Street
8
Continue on East Main Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Main Street
9
Turn right onto Peacock Hill Road
0.4 mi·43 sec·Peacock Hill Road
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
11
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
141 mi·2 hr 44 min·Southern Tier Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
20
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
21
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
22
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
25
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
34
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
35
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
36
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
37
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
38
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
39
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
40
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
41
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
42
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
43
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
46
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
47
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
49
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
50
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
51
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
52
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
53
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
54
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
55
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
56
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Since this route can be completed in about 7 hours and 15 minutes, it's entirely feasible as a same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only 2 planned stops suggested, make them count for fuel and a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer 140.6-mile stretch of the Southern Tier Expressway, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The $56 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.4 miles from Freedom, NY, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.6 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 75 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.4 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 45m
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 Freedom, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Freedom, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.8 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Freedom, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 140.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.4 mi from Freedom, NY
· 3h 31m into the drive
The midpoint is around 171.4 miles from Freedom, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.6 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.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 331
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 331
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 331
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 331
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 342.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.43 one way
$112.85 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$61.02
$122.03
premium
$4.92
$66.44
$132.88
diesel
$5.61
$75.69
$151.37
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals 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
$56
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.8
1
$35.99
$16.45
Efficient EV
85.7
0
$29.99
$13.71
EV Truck/SUV
137.1
1
$47.99
$21.94
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Freedom, NY
Afternoon
in Freedom on Friday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Afternoon
in Staten Island on Friday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Freedom, NY to Staten Island, NY covers 342.8 miles and takes about 7h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, Keystone Shortway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 171.4 miles from Freedom, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 39 significant decision points across 342.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 168.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 222.1 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 297.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Freedom, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Governors Island 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.
