Origin
Hillside, NY
Late night in Hillside on Thursday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hillside, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
30m
Distance
15.5 mi
25 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hillside, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hillside to New York City is a quick 15.5-mile journey that typically takes about 30 minutes. Since this is a short trip within the Northeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate the Long Island Expressway, the Van Wyck Expressway, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to reach your destination. With a fuel cost of just $2, it is a highly economical route for commuters or casual travelers. Because there are no required stops, you have total flexibility in your schedule. It is a straightforward, practical link between these two New York locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
7.7 miles from Hillside, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that blends major expressway segments with urban transit. Highways account for 52% of this route, meaning you will spend roughly half your time on high-speed roads and the remainder navigating local traffic patterns. You will encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 3.4 miles while traveling on the Long Island Expressway. As you transition between the various expressways, the character of the drive shifts from open lanes to the tighter, more congested flow typical of the New York City region. Staying alert is essential as you move through these busy interchanges.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Long Island Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
52 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
9 ft
Total Descent
43 ft
Highest Point
52 ft
~2.6 mi in
Elevation Range
43 ft
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 4.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 15.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 30m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
7
8.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
7
9.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
9
12.1 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
Williamsburg Bridge
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 32A
Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
Lafayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hillside, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Bronx and Manhattan.
Bronx
1.9 mi in
|
~5m
Manhattan
12.1 mi in
|
~21m
|
via Williamsburg Bridge
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Expressway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Van Wyck Expressway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 2 mi | 3m |
| Williamsburg Bridge | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Jamaica Avenue | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| Delancey Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Broadway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kenmare Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Long Island Expressway
— 3.4 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hillside, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Jamaica Avenue
301 ft
·
11 sec
·
Jamaica Avenue
2
Continue on Jamaica Avenue
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Jamaica Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto Van Wyck Expressway
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Van Wyck Expressway
4
Continue on 138th Street
298 ft
·
6 sec
·
138th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 678 North: Van Wyck Expressway, Whitestone Bridge, Bronx
6
Merge onto I 678
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Van Wyck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 495
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17W
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn, 48th Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 278
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Williamsburg Bridge
Exit 32A
Toward Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
15
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Kenmare Street
17
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Howard Street
510 ft
·
24 sec
·
Howard Street
19
Turn left onto Broadway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 30-minute duration, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best fits your personal schedule. Because the entire trip is only 15.5 miles, you do not need to worry about planning for rest stops or food breaks along the way. Your biggest priority should be monitoring real-time traffic updates for the Van Wyck and Brooklyn-Queens Expressways, as these can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, though the $2 estimated cost makes this an easy budget item to manage. Since this is a short, direct drive, your main task is simply staying focused through the expressway transitions.
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 7.7 miles from Hillside, NY, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.4 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 15.5 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.7 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Hillside, NY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hillside, NY
This is one driving day of about 15.5 miles and 30m.
At 15.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Long Island Expressway for about 3.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.7 mi from Hillside, NY · 14m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.7 miles from Hillside, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New York City, NY
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into New York City, NY if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.55 one way
$5.10 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.76 | $5.52 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.00 | $6.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.42 | $6.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.63 | $0.74 |
| Efficient EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.36 | $0.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.17 | $0.99 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Late night in New York City on Thursday
Local time
12:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 14 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
18 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
30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hillside, NY to New York City, NY covers 15.5 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Long Island Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.7 miles from Hillside, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.55 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 short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 15.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 30m.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Hillside, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Bronx and Manhattan.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 9 ft to 52 ft elevation with about 9 ft of total climbing.
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