Origin
Lowville, NY
Evening in Lowville on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lowville, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
5h 56m
Distance
292.9 mi
471 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 43m
★
6 AM
5h 56m
8 AM
6h 22m
10 AM
6h 5m
12 PM
6h 3m
3 PM
6h 7m
5 PM
6h 21m
8 PM
5h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lowville, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lowville to New York City covers 292.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 56 minutes. You can easily complete this journey in a single day, though be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel as you navigate from the rural Northeast down toward the metropolitan hub. Budget approximately $46 for fuel to cover the trip, keeping in mind that your route will utilize State Highway 12, the New York State Thruway, and NJ 17. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a steady pace rather than a quick sprint. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, knowing the time commitment helps you decide if a direct drive is your best option or if you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
146.5 miles from Lowville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from local roads to high-speed transit. Only 21% of this route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend much of your time managing the turns and intersections characteristic of a local drive. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the New York State Thruway, where you will cover 201.9 miles of more consistent travel. As you leave the local roads of Upstate New York and hit the major thoroughfares, the character of the drive shifts significantly. Prepare for the mental engagement required by the turn-heavy nature of the initial segments before you settle into the longer, more predictable highway portion of the journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 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
Gently rolling terrain
1,220 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
1,403 ft
Total Descent
2,253 ft
Highest Point
1,220 ft
~36.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,204 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 20 significant decision points across 292.9 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 20 key pointsThese 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
6
288.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m 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
288.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 45m 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
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 New York City, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
Genesee Street South
54.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Boston
139.2 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via New York State Thruway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| State Highway 12 | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| Bea Luck Road | 19.8 mi | 23m |
| Erwin Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 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 Lowville, NY and New York City, 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
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
20
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
24
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
25
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
26
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
28
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly six-hour trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic near your destination. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the turn-heavy sections can be more tiring than standard interstate cruising. Since you are looking at a $46 fuel investment, check your tire pressure before leaving Lowville to ensure maximum efficiency on the long stretch of the New York State Thruway. Keep an eye on your navigation during the local portions of the drive, as the transition onto NJ 17 requires staying alert through various junctions. Given the manageable total duration, maintaining a steady, consistent speed will serve you better than trying to rush the technical sections.
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 146.5 miles from Lowville, NY, or about 2h 58m 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 146.5 miles or 2h 58m 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 46m
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 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 292.9 miles and 5h 56m.
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 146.5 mi from Lowville, NY · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.5 miles from Lowville, 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 201.9 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.
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
$48.21 one way
$96.43 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $52.13 | $104.27 |
| premium | $4.92 | $56.77 | $113.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.67 | $129.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.09
Holland Tunnel
$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: 102.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.9 | 1 | $30.75 | $14.06 |
| Efficient EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.63 | $11.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.2 | 1 | $41.01 | $18.75 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
New York City, NY
Evening in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 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
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
30 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 56m 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 New York City, NY covers 292.9 miles and takes about 5h 56m 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, NJ 17. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.5 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 $48.21 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 20 significant decision points across 292.9 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 New York City, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 16 ft to 1,220 ft elevation with about 1,403 ft of total climbing.
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