The drive from Gaines, NY to Staten Island, NY covers 353.4 miles and takes about 7h 42m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
176.7 miles from Gaines, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m 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 7h 42m. Total distance: 353.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 42m drive with frequent turns across 353.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 88 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 82.4 miles in.
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 50 significant decision points across 353.4 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 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 50 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
308 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
338.6 mi into trip|~7h 9m 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
338.8 mi into trip|~7h 9m 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 Gaines, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport and New York City - among others.
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
Lake Hopatcong
308 mi in|~6h 30m
Morristown Airport
322.1 mi in|~6h 48m
New York City
333.4 mi in|~7h 2m
Newark
333.4 mi in|~7h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaines, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on NY 279
1.9 mi·2 min·Gaines Road
2
Turn straight onto NY 98
0.5 mi·51 sec·Oak Orchard Road
3
Continue on NY 98
1.0 mi·1 min·North Main Street
4
Turn left onto NY 31
1.4 mi·1 min·East Avenue
5
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
6
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
7
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
8
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
9
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
10
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
11
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
12
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
13
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
14
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
15
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
16
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
17
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
18
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
19
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
21
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
23
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
26
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
27
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
29
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
31
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
32
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
33
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
34
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
35
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
36
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
37
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
38
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
39
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
40
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
41
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
43
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
45
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.
46
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.
47
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
48
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
49
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
51
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
52
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
53
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
54
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
56
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
57
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
58
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
59
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
60
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
61
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
62
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
63
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
64
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
65
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
66
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
67
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
68
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
69
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
70
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
71
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
72
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
73
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
74
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
75
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
76
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
77
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
78
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
79
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
80
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
81
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
82
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
83
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
84
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
85
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
86
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
87
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
88
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
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 176.7 miles from Gaines, NY, or about 3h 52m 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 78 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 52m 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 12m
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 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 353.4 miles and 7h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 176.7 mi from Gaines, NY
· 3h 52m into the drive
The midpoint is around 176.7 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 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.
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.
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...
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 341.3
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 341.3
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 341.3
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 341.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.17 one way
$116.34 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$62.90
$125.80
premium
$4.92
$68.50
$136.99
diesel
$5.61
$78.03
$156.05
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$58
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106
1
$37.11
$16.96
Efficient EV
88.4
1
$30.92
$14.14
EV Truck/SUV
141.4
1
$49.48
$22.62
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Gaines, NY
Late night
in Gaines on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
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
6 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 42m 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 Staten Island, NY covers 353.4 miles and takes about 7h 42m 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 176.7 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 $58.17 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 50 significant decision points across 353.4 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 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Gaines, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport and New York City - among others.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Statue Of Liberty 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.
