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Trip from Independence, NY to New York City, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 15m

Distance

292.3 mi

470 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 2m ★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 25m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

condition of a nation, country, or state which exercises self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory

Independence, NY

Wikimedia Commons

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Independence, NY to New York City, NY covers 292.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Highway 417, Highway 36, Tuscarora Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.11 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

146.2 miles from Independence, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

About the Cities

Arriving in New York City, NY

Full guide →

“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624

New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation. From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.

Top landmarks

  • Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
  • Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 292.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 15m drive with frequent turns across 292.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 417 is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Independence, NY to New York City, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 417
Highway 36
Tuscarora Street
Main Street
Front Street
Addison Road
I 99 North
I 86 East

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Highway 417 — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Independence, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on Independence Road

4.6 mi · 11 min · Independence Road
2

Turn right onto State Highway 417

15 mi · 22 min · State Highway 417
3

At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 36

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 36
4

Turn right onto State Highway 417

16 mi · 24 min · State Highway 417
5

Continue on Tuscarora Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Tuscarora Street
6

Continue on Main Street

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Main Street
7

Continue on Front Street

1.1 mi · 1 min · Front Street
8

Continue on State Highway 417

364 ft · 6 sec · State Highway 417
9

Continue on Addison Road

3.5 mi · 5 min · Addison Road
10

Take the ramp left toward I 99 North, US 15 North

0.3 mi · 36 sec · I 99 North, US 15 North
11

Merge slight left

3.6 mi · 4 min
12

Keep slight right to continue on I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
13

Keep slight left to continue on I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
14

Merge slight left onto Southern Tier Expressway

80 mi · 1 hr 34 min · Southern Tier Expressway
15

Keep slight right to continue on I 81 South: Scranton

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81 South: Scranton
16

Keep slight right to continue on I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
17

Continue on I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
18

Keep slight right to continue on I 380 South: Mount Pocono

24 mi · 25 min · I 380 South: Mount Pocono
19

Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Stroudsburg

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 80 East: Stroudsburg
20

Merge slight right onto Keystone Shortway

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
21

Take the exit slight left toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark

0.7 mi · 50 sec · I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
22

Continue on Essex Freeway

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
23

Take the exit slight right toward CR 508 East: Jersey City

0.6 mi · 1 min · CR 508 East: Jersey City
24

Merge slight left onto Newark-Jersey City Turnpike

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
25

Continue on New Wittpenn Bridge

0.5 mi · 44 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
26

Take the exit slight right toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

0.2 mi · 28 sec · NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
27

Keep slight left to continue on Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
28

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
29

Merge slight right onto Conrail Viaduct

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
30

Continue on 12th Street Viaduct

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
31

Continue on 12th Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
32

Keep slight left to continue on Holland Tunnel

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
33

Take the exit slight right toward Brooklyn

305 ft · 10 sec · Brooklyn
34

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street
35

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street
36

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
37

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 146.2 miles from Independence, NY, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

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 64 miles or 1h 8m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 146.2 miles or 2h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 18m

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 Independence, 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 Independence, NY

This is one driving day of about 292.3 miles and 5h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Independence, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 146.2 mi from Independence, NY · 2h 37m into the drive

city in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Binghamton, NY

146 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.

Popular next leg

Binghamton, NY to New York City, NY

175.1 mi · 3h 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Big Flats, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Binghamton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.2 miles from Independence, 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

$48.11 one way

$96.23 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $52.03 $104.05
premium $4.92 $56.65 $113.31
diesel $5.61 $64.54 $129.07

Estimated Tolls: $32.00

Holland Tunnel $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel $16.00

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

$48

Tolls

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$105–$130

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.7 1 $30.69 $14.03
Efficient EV 73.1 0 $25.58 $11.69
EV Truck/SUV 116.9 1 $40.92 $18.71

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 16, 2026

Origin

Independence, NY

Evening in Independence on Friday

Local time

8:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Evening in New York City on Friday

Local time

8:06 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 15m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Independence, NY to New York City, NY covers 292.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Highway 417, Highway 36, Tuscarora Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 146.2 miles from Independence, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Independence, NY to New York City, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Independence, NY to New York City, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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