Traveling from Manhattan to Hornby covers 259.8 miles of New York scenery. You should plan for roughly 5 hours and 26 minutes of driving time, making this a manageable but significant one-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $41, the cost remains relatively modest for a trip of this length. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will stay within the Northeast region for the duration of the journey. While it is certainly feasible to complete this trek in a single day, consider your comfort level with a turn-heavy local drive before finalizing your itinerary.
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
129.9 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 259.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized by a turn-heavy local profile. You will navigate through city streets like West 86th Street, Columbus Avenue, and 9th Avenue, which means there is 0% highway share on this particular path. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on West 86th Street, you should be prepared for constant navigation and frequent turning. This drive lacks the monotony of a typical interstate grind, offering a more technical and engaged pace. It is a journey that demands your full attention from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 86 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Columbus Avenue.
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 24 significant decision points across 259.8 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 0.4 miles (Columbus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West 41st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|Columbus Avenue
Turn left onto Columbus Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
2.6 mi into trip|~7m in|West 41st Street
Turn right onto West 41st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey
6
6.4 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
8
6.7 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Manhattan, NY and Hornby, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.
Del Water Gap
27.8 mi in|~40m
Mahwah
28 mi in|~40m|via I 80W
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 86
73.9 mi
1h 26m
I 81
58.1 mi
1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
NJ 3
10.2 mi
12m
Hornby Road
5.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Hornby, NY.
1
Start on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·38 sec·86th Street Transverse
2
Continue on West 86th Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·West 86th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto Columbus Avenue
1.4 mi·4 min·Columbus Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on 9th Avenue
0.9 mi·1 min·9th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto West 41st Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·West 41st Street
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto Galvin Avenue
262 ft·11 sec·Galvin Avenue
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
7
Take the ramp
477 ft·11 sec
Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight lane.
8
Merge onto NY 495
3.4 mi·6 min·Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: SecaucusUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft·7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: CliftonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto NJ 3
10 mi·12 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
14
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
20
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
21
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
74 mi·1 hr 26 min·I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 46Toward NY 414: Corning, Watkins Glen
24
Turn right onto NY 414
0.5 mi·54 sec·NY 414
25
Turn left onto Winfield Street
0.8 mi·3 min·Winfield Street
26
At end of road, turn right onto Reynolds Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Reynolds Avenue
27
Continue on CR 41
5.9 mi·14 min·Hornby Road
28
Turn left onto Dry Run Road
270 ft·11 sec·Dry Run Road
29
Arrive at destination
Dry Run Road
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid city congestion. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 5h 26m travel time, as the high frequency of turns can lead to driver fatigue. Since you are navigating local streets, keep your GPS updated to handle the complexity of the turns accurately. Budgeting $41 for fuel is a solid estimate, but keep a little extra set aside for potential detours or traffic-related idling. Take advantage of the route's flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you find a safe, convenient spot to pull over.
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 129.9 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 miles or 2h 43m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hornby, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY
This is one driving day of about 259.8 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Manhattan, 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 86 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.9 mi from Manhattan, NY
· 2h 43m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.76 one way
$85.53 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$46.24
$92.48
premium
$4.92
$50.35
$100.71
diesel
$5.61
$57.36
$114.72
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Lincoln Tunnel
$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
$43
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.28
$12.47
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
EV Truck/SUV
103.9
1
$36.37
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 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 15, 2026
Origin
Manhattan, NY
Evening
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
8:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hornby, NY
Evening
in Hornby on Friday
Local time
8:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
39°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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 26m 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 Manhattan, NY to Hornby, NY covers 259.8 miles and takes about 5h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 86, I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.9 miles from Manhattan, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.76 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 259.8 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 0.4 miles (Columbus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West 41st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Manhattan, NY and Hornby, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.
Yes. Nearby national parks include General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
