Origin
Greenwood Lake, NY
Evening in Greenwood Lake on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greenwood Lake, NY to New York City, NY
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
51.2 mi
82 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greenwood Lake, NY
Dom Bucci
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Transitioning from the quiet landscape of Greenwood Lake to the heart of New York City covers 51.2 miles of Northeastern terrain. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting around $8 for fuel is sufficient for the journey, which relies on a mix of local turnpikes and major state roads. Because you are traveling from a scenic lakeside area into a dense urban center, the drive serves as a direct, efficient link between rural New York and the metropolitan hub. It is a straightforward commute that provides a clear path between two distinct regional environments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
25.6 miles from Greenwood Lake, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 65% of your travel spent on faster-paced roads. You will navigate using a combination of Greenwood Lake Turnpike, NJ 23, and NJ 3 as you move toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 10.9-mile segment on NJ 3, which offers a consistent rhythm after the initial local roads. Expect the character of the drive to shift from winding, smaller corridors near the lake to the higher-traffic, multi-lane environment of the New Jersey highway system. It balances technical local navigation with the steady pace of regional arterial roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NJ 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NJ 3 and Greenwood Lake Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near CR 511 / Greenwood Lake Turnpike.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 51.2 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 6.1 miles (CR 511 / Greenwood Lake Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
CR 511 / Greenwood Lake Turnpike
Turn left onto CR 511 / Greenwood Lake Turnpike
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
21.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward NJ 23: Riverdale, Wayne, Butler
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 52A-B
Toward NJ 23: Riverdale, Wayne, Butler
9
21.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 23 South: Riverdale, Wayne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 52A
Toward NJ 23 South: Riverdale, Wayne
7
29.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 46 East: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
8
46.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Greenwood Lake, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Wayne, Butler, Clifton, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken - among others.
Wayne
21.6 mi in
|
~35m
Butler
21.6 mi in
|
~35m
Clifton
29.3 mi in
|
~45m
Jersey City
46.8 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
46.8 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
46.9 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Manhattan
48.5 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via I 78
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 3 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| Greenwood Lake Turnpike | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| NJ 23 | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Ringwood Avenue | 3.8 mi | 7m |
| US 46 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Jersey Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Lakeside Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
NJ 3
— 10.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greenwood Lake, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 210
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Jersey Avenue
2
Continue on CR 511
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lakeside Road
3
Turn left onto CR 511
9.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Greenwood Lake Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on CR 511
3.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Ringwood Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto CR 511
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Union Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 287 South: Morristown
7
Merge onto I 287
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 287
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 52A-B
Toward NJ 23: Riverdale, Wayne, Butler
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 52A
Toward NJ 23 South: Riverdale, Wayne
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto NJ 23
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
NJ 23
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 23
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
NJ 23
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
297 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 80 East, US 46 East: New York, Clifton
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 46 East: Clifton
Use the none lane.
14
Merge onto US 46
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 46
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 46
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 46
Use the none lane.
16
Turn slight left onto NJ 3
11 mi
·
12 min
·
NJ 3
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
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
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
24
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 16-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the highway-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure your 51.2-mile journey remains stress-free. There are no mandatory stops required for this distance, but keep in mind that the transition from quiet turnpikes to the busier NJ 3 section happens quickly. Keep your $8 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as there are zero scheduled stops on this direct path. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for NJ 3 before leaving Greenwood Lake, as that is your longest stretch of highway and the most likely place to encounter delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 25.6 miles from Greenwood Lake, NY, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 51.2 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.6 miles or 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 1m
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 Greenwood Lake, 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 Greenwood Lake, NY
This is one driving day of about 51.2 miles and 1h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Greenwood Lake, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NJ 3 for about 10.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.6 mi from Greenwood Lake, NY · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Greenwood Lake, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.34 one way
$16.67 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $9.03 | $18.07 |
| premium | $4.88 | $9.84 | $19.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.37 | $22.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.69
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Greenwood Lake Turnpike
(9.9 mi)
$0.69
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
$8
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
| Efficient EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.17 | $3.28 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
5:02 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
26 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
4 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
1h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Greenwood Lake, NY to New York City, NY covers 51.2 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NJ 3, Greenwood Lake Turnpike, NJ 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 25.6 miles from Greenwood Lake, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 51.2 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 6.1 miles (CR 511 / Greenwood Lake Turnpike): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Greenwood Lake, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Wayne, Butler, Clifton, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken - among others.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
New York City, NY to Greenwood Lake, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
51.2 mi
1h 16m
Continue From New York City, NY
More from Greenwood Lake, NY
More trips to New York City, NY
Explore more options from Greenwood Lake, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.
Explore maps for Greenwood Lake, NY or New York City, NY on MapSof.net.