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Create accountDrive Time
7h 53m
Distance
368.1 mi
592 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hamburg, NY
Peter Olexa
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
If you are planning to head from Hamburg to New York City, prepare for a 368.1-mile journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 53 minutes. This trip is best suited as a single-day push, as it fits well within a standard travel day without requiring an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to complete the route. Budgeting approximately $58 for fuel will cover your transit across this Northeast corridor. While the drive is straightforward, it is a significant commitment behind the wheel, so ensure you are prepared for a full day of highway travel before departing.
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
184.1 miles from Hamburg, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 64% of this route is comprised of interstate driving. You will spend a fair amount of time maintaining cruising speeds, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. The road's personality is consistent and functional, designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering. As you transition between these major thoroughfares, the rhythm of the drive remains steady, providing a predictable environment for long-distance travel. Be ready for the steady hum of tires on pavement as you cross through the New York state landscape.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,593 ft
Total Descent
3,382 ft
Highest Point
1,917 ft
~262.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,883 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in near US 20A / Big Tree Road.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 368.1 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 4.3 miles (US 20A / Big Tree Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 197.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 251.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 20A / Big Tree Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Between Hamburg, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Big Tree Road | 13.2 mi | 19m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hamburg, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on US 62
Enter roundabout onto US 62
Continue on US 62
Enter roundabout onto US 62
Continue on US 62
Enter roundabout onto US 62
Continue on US 62
Enter roundabout onto US 62
Continue on US 62
Turn right onto US 20
Turn right onto US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Enter roundabout onto US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
Continue on US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
Continue on US 20A; NY 16; NY 78
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on CR 64
Turn right onto NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 390
Merge onto I 86
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 280
Take the exit
Merge onto CR 508
Continue on NJ 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 7-hour and 53-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the city. We recommend planning for at least two stops along the way to break up the monotony and keep your energy levels high. Since the route relies heavily on major expressways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches to ensure you do not run low between service stations. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; if you feel fatigued, utilize your two planned breaks to stretch your legs thoroughly before tackling the final miles into New York City.
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.
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 81 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.1 miles or 4h 2m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hamburg, 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 Hamburg, NY
This is one driving day of about 368.1 miles and 7h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.1 mi from Hamburg, NY · 4h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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.
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 184.1 miles from Hamburg, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$59.92 one way
$119.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $64.94 | $129.88 |
| premium | $4.88 | $70.77 | $141.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $81.78 | $163.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
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
$60
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.4 | 1 | $38.65 | $17.67 |
| Efficient EV | 92 | 1 | $32.21 | $14.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.2 | 1 | $51.53 | $23.56 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hamburg on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
3:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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