Origin
Jefferson, NY
Late night in Jefferson on Thursday
Local time
12:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
162.2 mi
261 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Jefferson to New York City is a 162.2-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes. Because this is a relatively manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the trek, which takes you through the heart of the Northeast. You will navigate a mix of roads, including State Route 23A, the New York State Thruway, and NJ 17, as you transition from the rural setting of Jefferson into the urban environment of NYC. It is a straightforward route that works well for those looking to reach the city efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.1 miles from Jefferson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed-profile experience, balancing high-speed transit with more localized driving. About 45% of your travel time will be spent on highways, providing a consistent pace for nearly half the journey. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New York State Thruway, where you will cover 70.5 miles of consistent road. As you transition from the quiet roads near Jefferson to the busier corridors of NJ 17, the driving environment shifts from open stretches to more congested traffic patterns. Prepare for the road to change character as you trade rural scenery for the dense infrastructure leading into the city.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 37 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 70.5 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 126.6 miles in near NY 17.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 162.2 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 126.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
126.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
128 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
6
157.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
157.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
6
159.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
I 78 / Holland Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 / Holland Tunnel toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| State Route 23A | 17.4 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 23 | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 10 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| King's Highway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 23A | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 4.4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on CR 2A
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Harpersfield Road
2
Continue on NY 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 10
3
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 10
4
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 10
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 10
5
Continue on NY 10
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
6
Turn left onto NY 23
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Harper Street
7
Turn slight right onto NY 23
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
8
Continue on NY 23
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 23
9
Continue on NY 23
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 23
10
Continue on NY 23A
14 mi
·
20 min
·
State Route 23A
11
Continue on NY 23A
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
12
Continue on NY 23A
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 23A
13
Continue on NY 23A
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street
14
Continue on NY 23A
5.2 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23A
15
Continue on NY 23A
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 23A
16
Turn slight right onto NY 32A
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
State Route 32A
17
Continue on NY 32A
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 32A
18
Continue on NY 32
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
King's Highway
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
20
Merge onto I 87
71 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
25
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
29
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
30
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
31
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
33
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
37
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage the 3 hours and 39 minutes of driving time without feeling rushed. Keep in mind that while the $26 fuel cost is estimated, traffic conditions near New York City can significantly impact your travel time, so building in a buffer is a smart move. Because the route relies on a mix of major arteries and state roads, keep an eye on your GPS to stay on track during the transition between the Thruway and NJ 17. Using your single stop to refuel or stretch your legs midway will help you stay sharp for the final approach into the city.
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 81.1 miles from Jefferson, NY, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 36 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 57m
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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, NY
This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Jefferson, 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.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.1 mi from Jefferson, NY · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Jefferson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.5 miles.
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
$26.70 one way
$53.40 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $28.87 | $57.74 |
| premium | $4.92 | $31.44 | $62.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.81 | $71.62 |
Estimated Tolls: $19.53
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)
$3.53
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
$27
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.03 | $7.79 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.19 | $6.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.71 | $10.38 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
12:23 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 Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 8:15PM EDT until April 14 at 8:45PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:57PM EDT until April 14 at 9:00PM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 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
3h 39m 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 Jefferson, NY to New York City, NY covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, NJ 17, State Route 23A. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.1 miles from Jefferson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.70 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 162.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 126.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Jefferson, NY to New York City, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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