The drive from Kirkland, NY to Gravesend, NY covers 257.4 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on New York State Thruway, NJ 17, NJ 3 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.37 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
128.7 miles from Kirkland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 257.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 20m drive with frequent turns across 257.4 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.
New York State Thruway is the longest continuous segment at about 201.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.2 miles in near New York State Thruway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 257.4 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 94.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
212.3 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
213.7 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
243.6 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
8
248.3 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kirkland, NY and Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
Boston
94.2 mi in|~1h 54m|via New York State Thruway
Jersey City
243.5 mi in|~4h 50m|via US 1; US 9
Pulaski Skyway
243.5 mi in|~4h 50m|via US 1; US 9
Hoboken
243.6 mi in|~4h 50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
McDonald Avenue
4.1 mi
7m
North-South Arterial Highway
3.8 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Clinton Road
2 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, NY and Gravesend, NY.
1
Start on NY 5
0.4 mi·39 sec·Seneca Turnpike
2
Turn right onto NY 5B
1.7 mi·2 min·Limberlost Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5B; NY 12B
2.0 mi·3 min·Clinton Road
4
Turn right onto NY 5
3.8 mi·5 min·North-South Arterial Highway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
6
Keep slight right at fork
219 ft·6 sec
7
Turn slight right onto Court Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·Court Street
8
Turn left onto Genesee Street
1.5 mi·2 min·Genesee Street
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 90
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
11
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse 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
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
17
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
22
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
23
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
25
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
26
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
27
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
29
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
30
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck
0.2 mi·27 sec·NY 27 Truck
Exit 4Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's MuseumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto NY 27 Truck
262 ft·11 sec·10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto NY 27 Truck
4.1 mi·7 min·McDonald Avenue
Use the slight left / right lanes.
34
Turn left onto Avenue U
0.4 mi·59 sec·Avenue U
35
Turn right onto Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·34 sec·Ocean Parkway
36
Continue on Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·40 sec·Ocean Parkway
Use the left lane.
37
Arrive at destination
Ocean Parkway
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 128.7 miles from Kirkland, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 57 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 34m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gravesend, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, NY
This is one driving day of about 257.4 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Kirkland, 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 201.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.7 mi from Kirkland, NY
· 2h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 248.6
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.03
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.52
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.04
$16.47
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
Kirkland, NY
Morning
in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Patchy Fog
SW 1 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Gravesend, NY
Morning
in Gravesend on Friday
Local time
9:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Rain Showers
SW 6 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
57°F
Ramapo, NY
129 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
4 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
5h 20m 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 Kirkland, NY to Gravesend, NY covers 257.4 miles and takes about 5h 20m 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, NJ 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.7 miles from Kirkland, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.37 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 demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 257.4 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 94.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kirkland, NY and Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Boston, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial and African Burial Ground National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
