Origin
Inwood, NY
Evening in Inwood on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Inwood, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
26m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Inwood, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Inwood to New York City is a quick 12.3-mile trip that typically takes about 26 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this is a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical commute within the Northeast region. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including the Henry Hudson Parkway and West Street, to transition you from the outskirts into the heart of the city. Whether you are heading in for work or a quick visit, the simplicity of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
6.2 miles from Inwood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from parkway speeds to city street navigation. With 54% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 6.6 miles on the Henry Hudson Parkway. As you move from the parkway onto 12th Avenue and West Street, the pace shifts to reflect a typical urban environment. This combination of high-speed transit and local roads ensures that no part of the drive feels monotonous, though you should remain alert to the changing traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Henry Hudson Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
67 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
67 ft
~1.8 mi in
Elevation Range
61 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.3 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway
Merge onto HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
11.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Chambers Street
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Duane Street
Turn right onto Duane Street
Navigation decision point
5
12.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
Broadway
Turn right onto Broadway
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| 12th Avenue | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| West Street | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| West Side Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 11th Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Chambers Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Riverside Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Duane Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Henry Hudson Parkway
— 6.6 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inwood, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on US 9
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway
2
Turn slight right onto Riverside Drive
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Riverside Drive
Use the slight right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Continue on NY 9A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Side Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on NY 9A
1.8 mi
·
5 min
·
12th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NY 9A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue
8
Continue on NY 9A
1.8 mi
·
5 min
·
West Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Chambers Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Chambers Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Church Street
458 ft
·
25 sec
·
Church Street
11
Turn right onto Duane Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Duane Street
12
Turn right onto Broadway
379 ft
·
18 sec
·
Broadway
13
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 26-minute drive, you have the advantage of planning your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother experience. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head straight to your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, as the $2 cost estimate assumes standard efficiency for this 12.3-mile distance. A practical tip for this specific route is to monitor real-time traffic reports for the Henry Hudson Parkway, as road conditions can fluctuate quickly even on such a brief trip. Prioritizing flexibility in your departure time is your best tool for navigating this path efficiently.
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 6.2 miles from Inwood, NY, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.6 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 12 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
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 Inwood, NY.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Inwood, NY
This is one driving day of about 12.3 miles and 26m.
At 12.3 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Henry Hudson Parkway for about 6.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Inwood, NY · 9m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Inwood, 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
$2.02 one way
$4.05 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.19 | $4.38 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.38 | $4.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.72 | $5.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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 Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
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
26m 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 Inwood, NY to New York City, NY covers 12.3 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Henry Hudson Parkway, 12th Avenue, West Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.2 miles from Inwood, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.02 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 12.3 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Inwood, NY to New York City, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 7 ft to 67 ft elevation with about 75 ft of total climbing.
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