Origin
Lake Placid, NY
Evening in Lake Placid on Wednesday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Placid, NY to Manhattan, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
283.7 mi
457 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 38m
★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 2m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Placid, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lake Placid to Manhattan covers 288.7 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Because this journey relies on local navigation through roads like Colden Avenue, Mill Pond Drive, and South Main Street, it functions best as a dedicated one-day trip. Budgeting approximately $46 for fuel will get you from the heart of the Northeast’s Adirondack region down to the urban landscape of Manhattan. While the route is manageable in a single stint, you should anticipate a full day of focus behind the wheel. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, it is a practical choice if you prefer steering through local environments rather than sticking to major interstates.
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
141.8 miles from Lake Placid, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than your typical highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. The personality of this drive is defined by a turn-heavy local profile, requiring your full attention as you navigate through various town centers. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Colden Avenue, you will find yourself constantly navigating intersections and transitions between local roads. This path offers a hands-on driving experience, trading high-speed monotony for a consistent rhythm of turns. You will remain engaged with the road surface throughout the entire 288.7-mile journey as you transition from the northern reaches of New York down toward the city.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.6 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 133.7 miles in near I 87.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 283.7 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 133.7 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
133.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
252.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m 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
253.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
277.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
|
US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
277.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Placid, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
Albany
133.7 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 87
New York
133.7 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 87
Buffalo
133.7 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 87
Gsp South: Paterson
267.8 mi in
|
~5h 24m
Fort Lee
267.8 mi in
|
~5h 24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 87 | 118.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Adirondack Northway | 103.7 mi | 2h 1m |
| State Highway 73 | 18.7 mi | 27m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Cascade Road | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| US 9 | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Placid, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Spring Street
369 ft
·
21 sec
·
Spring Street
2
Turn left onto Colden Avenue
302 ft
·
14 sec
·
Colden Avenue
3
Turn left onto Mill Pond Drive
326 ft
·
9 sec
·
Mill Pond Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 73
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Continue on NY 73
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Sentinel Road
6
Continue on NY 73
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Cascade Road
7
Continue on NY 73
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 73
8
Turn straight onto NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 9N
9
Continue on NY 73
11 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 73
10
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 9
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 87 South
12
Merge onto I 87
104 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 87
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
I 87
Exit 1W
Toward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 87
Toward I 87 South: New York
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi
·
18 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
21
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
26
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
27
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 9
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Use the straight lane.
30
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadway
34
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 86th Street
35
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
36
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is essential for this route, so aim to leave early in the morning to account for the persistent turns and local traffic patterns. Since you have one planned stop available, use it strategically to stretch your legs and reset after navigating the local road network. Keep a close watch on your fuel levels, as the $46 estimated cost assumes consistent driving; navigating local roads can occasionally fluctuate your consumption. Because the trip is under five hours, you have the flexibility to power through, but do not underestimate the mental fatigue that comes with frequent turns. Staying alert and pacing your driving will make the transition from Lake Placid to Manhattan feel much smoother.
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 141.8 miles from Lake Placid, NY, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 62 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Placid, 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 Lake Placid, NY
This is one driving day of about 283.7 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Lake Placid, 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 I 87 for about 118.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141.8 mi from Lake Placid, NY · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.8 miles from Lake Placid, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.6 miles.
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
The final approach into Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.70 one way
$93.40 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $50.50 | $100.99 |
| premium | $4.92 | $54.99 | $109.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.64 | $125.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$47
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.79 | $13.62 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.5 | 1 | $39.72 | $18.16 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Evening in Manhattan on Wednesday
Local time
8:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Hudson, NY
142 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
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
5h 51m 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 Lake Placid, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 283.7 miles and takes about 5h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 87, Adirondack Northway, State Highway 73. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.8 miles from Lake Placid, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.70 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 283.7 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 133.7 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lake Placid, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Gsp South: Paterson and Fort Lee.
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