Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Gaines, NY to New York City, NY

Drive Time

7h 30m

Distance

349.7 mi

563 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Fair

5 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 20m ★
6 AM
7h 30m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 37m
12 PM
7h 35m
3 PM
7h 38m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Gaines, NY, NY

Gaines, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown New York City, NY, NY

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Gaines to New York City covers 349.7 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. Because this journey fits into a single day, you can complete it without an overnight stay if you are comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. You will rely on a combination of I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway to navigate your way through the Northeast. Expect to spend approximately $55 on fuel for this trip, so factor that into your travel budget. While the duration is significant, the route remains a manageable trek for those ready to tackle the distance in one go.

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

174.8 miles from Gaines, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mix of driving conditions on this trip, as the route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Only 56% of your total mileage is spent on highways, meaning you will spend significant time navigating local roads rather than just cruising on interstates. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-81, which spans 98.8 miles. The experience shifts from open highway stretches to more technical, winding sections as you move toward your destination. Stay alert, as the changing road types require you to constantly adjust your pace and focus throughout the 7.5-hour journey.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 66 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 98.8 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 31.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 37 significant decision points across 349.7 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 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 37 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
31.2 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 490 East: Rochester

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 490 East: Rochester
8
82.4 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
7
179.4 mi into trip | ~3h 55m 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 none lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
232.7 mi into trip | ~4h 58m 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
345 mi into trip | ~7h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel

Towns Along This Route

Between Gaines, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Clyde

82.4 mi in | ~1h 42m

Mt Pocono

232.7 mi in | ~4h 58m | via US 6

Milford

233.5 mi in | ~4h 59m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

325.1 mi in | ~6h 50m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 98.8 mi 1h 57m
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
New York State Thruway 30 mi 34m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Western Expressway 20.1 mi 26m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
East Lake Road 9.9 mi 14m
State Highway 41 9.8 mi 13m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gaines, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on Gaines Road

1.9 mi · 2 min · Gaines Road
2

Turn straight onto Oak Orchard Road

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Oak Orchard Road
3

Continue on North Main Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
4

Turn left onto East Avenue

1.4 mi · 1 min · East Avenue
5

Continue on State Route 31

3.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 31
6

Continue on Fancher Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Fancher Road
7

Turn straight onto State Route 31

0.3 mi · 19 sec · State Route 31
8

Continue on Holley Road

2.3 mi · 2 min · Holley Road
9

Continue on West Albion Street

0.5 mi · 37 sec · West Albion Street
10

Continue on Wright Street

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Wright Street
11

Continue on Public Square

410 ft · 5 sec · Public Square
12

Continue on Mechanic Street

381 ft · 5 sec · Mechanic Street
13

Continue on State Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · State Street
14

Continue on Brockport-Holley Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Brockport-Holley Road
15

Continue on West Avenue

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Avenue
16

Turn right onto Redman Road

1.5 mi · 1 min · Redman Road
17

Turn left onto Fourth Section Road

1.2 mi · 1 min · Fourth Section Road
18

Continue on Brockport-Spencerport Road

4.8 mi · 5 min · Brockport-Spencerport Road
19

Continue straight

7.5 mi · 8 min
20

Keep slight left to continue on I 490 East: Rochester

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 490 East: Rochester
21

Merge slight right onto Western Expressway

20 mi · 26 min · Western Expressway
22

Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Albany

0.6 mi · 42 sec · I 90 East: Albany
23

Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway

30 mi · 34 min · New York State Thruway
24

Take the exit slight right toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

0.5 mi · 59 sec · NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
25

Keep slight right

328 ft · 8 sec
26

Continue on State Route 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414
27

Turn left

4.1 mi · 7 min
28

At the end of the road, turn left onto Auburn Road

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
29

Continue on Clark Street Road

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road
30

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street
31

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Dill Street
32

Continue on Loop Road

459 ft · 17 sec · Loop Road
33

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street
34

Continue on West Genesee Street Road

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road
35

Turn right onto East Lake Street

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street
36

Continue on East Lake Road

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
37

Continue on State Route 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
38

Continue on East Lake Road

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
39

Continue on State Highway 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41
40

Turn right onto North West Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street
41

Take the ramp left

0.7 mi · 1 min
42

Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Binghamton

0.3 mi · 34 sec · I 81 South: Binghamton
43

Merge slight left

45 mi · 54 min
44

Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Scranton

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81 South: Scranton
45

Keep slight right to continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

0.8 mi · 1 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
46

Continue on I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
47

Keep slight right to continue on I 380 South: Mount Pocono

24 mi · 25 min · I 380 South: Mount Pocono
48

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Stroudsburg

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 80 East: Stroudsburg
49

Merge slight right onto Keystone Shortway

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
50

Take the exit slight left toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark

0.7 mi · 50 sec · I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
51

Continue on Essex Freeway

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
52

Take the exit slight right toward CR 508 East: Jersey City

0.6 mi · 1 min · CR 508 East: Jersey City
53

Merge slight left onto Newark-Jersey City Turnpike

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
54

Continue on New Wittpenn Bridge

0.5 mi · 44 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
55

Take the exit slight right toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

0.2 mi · 28 sec · NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
56

Keep slight left to continue on Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
57

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
58

Merge slight right onto Conrail Viaduct

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
59

Continue on 12th Street Viaduct

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
60

Continue on 12th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
61

Keep slight left to continue on Holland Tunnel

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
62

Take the exit slight right toward Brooklyn

305 ft · 10 sec · Brooklyn
63

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street
64

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street
65

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
66

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7.5-hour duration and the technical nature of the local roads, planning for at least two stops is essential to maintain your focus. Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid navigating complex local sections in the dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $55 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in traffic. Because the majority of your trip is not on major highways, use a reliable GPS to help manage the frequent turns. Prioritizing these two planned breaks will keep you refreshed and help you navigate the more demanding, non-highway portions of the drive safely.

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 174.8 miles from Gaines, NY, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 174.8 miles or 3h 49m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 6m

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 Gaines, 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 Gaines, NY

This is one driving day of about 349.7 miles and 7h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gaines, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 174.8 mi from Gaines, NY · 3h 49m into the drive

Downtown Cortland, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cortland, NY

175 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.

Popular next leg

Cortland, NY to New York City, NY

215 mi · 4h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Thompson, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cortland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 174.8 miles from Gaines, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 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.

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.

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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 349.7
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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 349.7
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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 349.7
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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 349.7
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 349.7
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 96.5
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.93 one way

$113.86 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 122 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $61.69 $123.39
premium $4.88 $67.23 $134.46
diesel $5.64 $77.69 $155.38

Estimated Tolls: $32.00

Holland Tunnel $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel $16.00
New York State Thruway $0.00

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

$57

Tolls

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$114–$139

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: fair

EVolve NY Spencerport

Spencerport, NY

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Bob Johnson Chevrolet Greece

Rochester, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

4 DCFC

Bob Johnson Chevrolet West

Spencerport, NY

CHARGESMART_EV

2 DCFC

WEST HERR AUTO WH FR L3-2 EXPP

Rochester, NY

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

LOC 1 WEST

Rochester, NY

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

CHARGESMART_EV: 2 ChargePoint Network: 2 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 104.9 1 $36.72 $16.79
Efficient EV 87.4 0 $30.60 $13.99
EV Truck/SUV 139.9 1 $48.96 $22.38

Gas CO2

122 kg

EV CO2

41 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Gaines, NY

Afternoon in Gaines on Monday

Local time

1:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Afternoon in New York City on Monday

Local time

1:31 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Partly Sunny

SW 15 to 22 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

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

28 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

7h 30m 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 Gaines, NY to New York City, NY covers 349.7 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 174.8 miles from Gaines, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.93 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 37 significant decision points across 349.7 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 31.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Gaines, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From New York City, NY

Youngstown, NY 403.8 mi · 8h 29m Portland, NY 397.5 mi · 8h 32m Ripley, NY 397.1 mi · 8h 31m Leon, NY 395.5 mi · 7h 58m

More from Gaines, NY

Smithtown, NY 413.4 mi · 7h 13m Babylon, NY 413 mi · 7h 28m Jamaica, NY 390 mi · 6h 36m East Flatbush, NY 376.1 mi · 6h 38m Staten Island, NY 372.8 mi · 6h 30m Queens, NY 363 mi · 7h 51m

More trips to New York City, NY

Youngstown, NY 400.1 mi Silver Creek, NY 397.1 mi Ripley, NY 394.5 mi Ransomville, NY 394.2 mi Leon, NY 390.7 mi Dunkirk, NY 390.2 mi

Explore more options from Gaines, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Gaines, NY or New York City, NY on MapSof.net.