Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
182.2 mi
293 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Photo: Cristian Pedroso
Traveling from Malta to Brooklyn covers approximately 187.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. Since this journey is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to budget around $30 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. This trip keeps you entirely within the Northeast region of New York, transitioning from the more relaxed northern landscape into the dense urban environment of the city. It is a straightforward transit that works well for those looking to reach their destination without complex logistics.
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
91.1 miles from Malta, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. You will navigate through varied local roads that require your full attention, making for a much more engaged experience behind the wheel. Because the path relies on local connectors, you won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed transit. The character of the road changes significantly as you move away from the quieter surroundings of Malta and approach the high-density traffic patterns typical of the Brooklyn area. Prepare for a technical drive that demands steady focus rather than a hands-off highway experience.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21 miles in near I 87.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 182.2 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 21 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Between Malta, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York, Buffalo, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken - among others.
Albany
New York
Buffalo
Jersey City
Pulaski Skyway
Hoboken
Manhattan
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 87 | 118.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| Adirondack Northway | 20.3 mi | 25m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| NY 27 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Caton Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Malta, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
Start on this road
Continue on NY 67
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
Continue on NY 67
Enter roundabout onto NY 67
Continue on NY 67
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Continue on I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 3
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
Take the exit
Continue on I 278
Take the exit onto NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27
Turn left onto NY 27
Continue on NY 27
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
Arrive at destination
To ensure a smooth arrival in Brooklyn, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic congestion, which can significantly alter your 3 hour and 24 minute estimate. Since there are zero formal stops scheduled in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break, but be mindful that local road navigation offers fewer large-scale rest areas than major interstates. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind and consider topping off your tank before leaving Malta to avoid the potentially higher prices you might encounter closer to the city. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for frequent intersections and changing speed limits throughout the 187.4-mile journey.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Malta, 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 Malta, NY
This is one driving day of about 182.2 miles and 3h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.1 mi from Malta, NY · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91.1 miles from Malta, 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.
The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, 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.
Regular Gas
$29.66 one way
$59.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $32.14 | $64.29 |
| premium | $4.88 | $35.03 | $70.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.48 | $80.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$30
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.75 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Malta on Sunday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
7:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
91 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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