Origin
Highland, NY
Late night in Highland on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highland, NY to Manhattan, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
79.2 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 40m
★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland, NY
Abhishek Navlakha
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 79.2-mile drive from Highland, NY, to Manhattan, NY, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes, with a fuel cost estimated at around $13. You'll primarily be using the New York State Thruway, US 9W, and NJ 17. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it manageable for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop. Given that both your origin and destination are in the Northeast region, you won't encounter significant regional transitions.
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
39.6 miles from Highland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' with 56% of the route being on highways. You'll experience a 29-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, which is the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. This suggests a good balance between faster highway driving and potentially more varied road conditions on US 9W and NJ 17 as you approach your destination. The road's personality shifts from more open highway to potentially more congested or local road segments as you get closer to Manhattan.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 29 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.2 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
15.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the ramp toward I 84 West, NY 52 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West
8
17.5 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York State Thruway
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 36A
Toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York St...
9
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
49.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
72.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Highland, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York State Thruway, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Downtown.
Albany
17.5 mi in
|
~25m
New York State Thruway
17.5 mi in
|
~25m
Gsp South: Paterson
63.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Fort Lee
63.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
New York
63.3 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Downtown
73.1 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 29 mi | 33m |
| US 9W | 14.5 mi | 20m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| I 84 | 2 mi | 2m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| NY 17 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 29 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highland, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on White Street
44 ft
·
7 sec
·
White Street
2
Turn left onto Vineyard Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Vineyard Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 44; NY 55
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Milton Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 9W; US 44; NY 55
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 9W; US 44; NY 55
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9W; US 44; NY 55
14 mi
·
19 min
·
US 9W; US 44; NY 55
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto NY 32
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Plank Road
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 84 West, NY 52 West
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 84; NY 52
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 84; NY 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 36A
Toward I 87: New York City, Albany, New York State Thruway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on this road
427 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 87 South: New York City
12
Merge onto I 87
29 mi
·
33 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
15
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi
·
18 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
18
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
23
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
24
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 9
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Use the straight lane.
27
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadway
31
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 86th Street
32
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 79.2-mile trip, flexibility is key. You can depart at almost any time, but consider leaving earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach Manhattan. While no specific stops are listed, plan for a brief break if needed, perhaps after the 29-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $13, and it's always wise to have a buffer. A practical tip is to familiarize yourself with the final approach into Manhattan, as navigating the city streets can be more challenging than the highway segments.
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 39.6 miles from Highland, NY, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 51m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Highland, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Highland, NY
This is one driving day of about 79.2 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Highland, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 29 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from Highland, NY · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Highland, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
The final approach into Manhattan, NY usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.04 one way
$26.07 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $14.10 | $28.19 |
| premium | $4.92 | $15.35 | $30.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.49 | $34.97 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.45
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(29 mi)
$1.45
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
$13
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.32 | $3.80 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.93 | $3.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Manhattan, NY
Late night in Manhattan on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
40 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 47m 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 Highland, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, US 9W, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.6 miles from Highland, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.04 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.2 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Highland, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York State Thruway, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York and Downtown.
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