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Trip from Lowville, NY to Manhattan, NY

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

5h 52m

Distance

288.7 mi

465 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 39m ★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 45m

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

Downtown Lowville, NY, NY

Lowville, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Lowville to Manhattan covers 293.6 miles across the Northeast, shifting from the rural landscapes of Upstate New York to the dense urban environment of the city. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 54 minutes of driving time, making this a long but manageable single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $46, it is a relatively affordable journey, though you will want to account for potential traffic as you near the metropolitan area. Since there are no scheduled stops in this itinerary, you have the flexibility to power through or build in your own breaks. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, this route is straightforward enough to complete in one day without needing an overnight stay.

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

144.3 miles from Lowville, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 293.6 miles navigating local roads. This profile creates a more involved driving experience as you transition through varying road conditions and local traffic patterns. Because the path relies on local routes rather than high-speed thoroughfares, your pace will remain consistent rather than fluctuating between rapid highway stretches and crawling city gridlock. Stay alert, as the winding nature of these roads requires constant navigation and gear adjustments throughout the nearly five-hour duration.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

991 ft 107 ft

Total Climb

409 ft

Total Descent

1,187 ft

Highest Point

991 ft

~20.6 mi in

Elevation Range

884 ft

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 139.2 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 288.7 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 139.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
139.2 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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
257.3 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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
258.7 mi into trip | ~5h 7m 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
282.2 mi into trip | ~5h 40m 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
282.7 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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 Lowville, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.

Genesee Street South

54.2 mi in | ~1h 10m

Boston

139.2 mi in | ~2h 49m | via New York State Thruway

Gsp South: Paterson

272.8 mi in | ~5h 26m

Fort Lee

272.8 mi in | ~5h 26m

New York

272.8 mi in | ~5h 26m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 22.8 mi 31m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
Henry Hudson Parkway 4.2 mi 6m
I 95 EXPR 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lowville, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on Shady Avenue

106 ft · 13 sec · Shady Avenue
2

Turn left onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
3

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
4

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
5

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
6

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
7

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
9

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
10

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
14

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
15

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, Boston Use the slight right lane.
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

To make the most of your 4 hour and 54 minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the congestion that often builds as you approach Manhattan. Since this is a non-stop route by design, carry enough water and snacks to keep you fueled, especially since you are navigating local roads where quick, convenient pull-offs might be less frequent. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on; although $46 should cover your needs, local road driving can be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway cruising. If you find yourself tiring, do not hesitate to build in your own flexible stops, as the absence of a set itinerary allows you to pull over whenever you need a quick rest.

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 144.3 miles from Lowville, NY, or about 2h 55m 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 64 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 144.3 miles or 2h 55m 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 42m

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 Lowville, 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 Lowville, NY

This is one driving day of about 288.7 miles and 5h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Lowville, 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 144.3 mi from Lowville, NY · 2h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

144 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

Albany, NY to Manhattan, NY

145.7 mi · 3h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

New Scotland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 144.3 miles from Lowville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 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

$47.52 one way

$95.04 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $51.39 $102.77
premium $4.92 $55.96 $111.91
diesel $5.61 $63.74 $127.48

Estimated Tolls: $26.09

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09

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

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 86.6 1 $30.31 $13.86
Efficient EV 72.2 0 $25.26 $11.55
EV Truck/SUV 115.5 1 $40.42 $18.48

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Lowville, NY

Evening in Lowville on Wednesday

Local time

5:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Evening in Manhattan on Wednesday

Local time

5:54 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

13 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 52m 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 Lowville, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 288.7 miles and takes about 5h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, Bea Luck Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.3 miles from Lowville, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.52 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 288.7 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 139.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 257.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lowville, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 107 ft to 991 ft elevation with about 409 ft of total climbing.

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