This 115-mile drive from Manhattan, NY, to Jefferson Heights, NY, is a straightforward 2-hour and 23-minute journey. Primarily utilizing highways like NY 17, NJ 17, and NJ 4, this route is designed for efficiency, with 95% of the drive being on highway roads. Given its relatively short distance and duration, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, making it an economical option for a quick getaway. You'll experience a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving steadily through the Northeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.5 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 115 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 95% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll encounter stretches on NY 17, NJ 17, and NJ 4, designed to get you there quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 83.7 miles, all on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent highway travel. This isn't a winding country road experience; rather, it's about covering distance efficiently. The road character remains largely consistent, prioritizing speed and directness.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 115 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 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
8
7.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
7.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
14.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward NY 23: Catskill, Cairo
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 Jefferson Heights, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah and New York State Thruway North: Albany.
Njtp South: Hackensack
7.5 mi in|~13m
Gsp South
14.6 mi in|~23m
Gsp North
14.6 mi in|~23m
Newark
14.6 mi in|~23m
Mahwah
14.6 mi in|~23m
New York State Thruway North: Albany
29.8 mi in|~43m|via NY 17
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
83.7 mi
1h 36m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Henry Hudson Parkway
3.5 mi
5m
I 95 EXPR
1.2 mi
1m
CR 23B
0.9 mi
2m
Amsterdam Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 83.7 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Jefferson Heights, NY.
1
Start on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·38 sec·86th Street Transverse
2
Continue on West 86th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Amsterdam Avenue
4
Turn left onto West 96th Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·West 96th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
448 ft·11 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
6
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
3.5 mi·5 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 14Toward I 95: George Washington BrigdeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
9
Merge onto I 95; US 1; US 9
0.4 mi·43 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
10
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
21
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
22
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 21Toward NY 23: Catskill, CairoUse the slight right lane.
For this 2-hour and 23-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you depart Manhattan. Since this is a short, highway-focused trip, you can easily complete it in one day without needing to split it. While there are no specific stops noted, remember that the longest stretch is over 83 miles, so plan for a brief rest stop if needed, especially around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $19, and gas stations are readily available along the main highway corridors.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.5 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 25 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.5 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson Heights, 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 115 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Manhattan, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 83.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.5 mi from Manhattan, NY
· 1h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 57.5 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.7 miles.
Arriving in Jefferson Heights, NY
The final approach into Jefferson Heights, 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 Jefferson Heights, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 4
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
$18.93 one way
$37.86 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$20.47
$40.94
premium
$4.92
$22.29
$44.58
diesel
$5.61
$25.39
$50.78
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
$19
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.06
$4.60
EV Truck/SUV
46
0
$16.10
$7.36
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
12:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Jefferson Heights, NY
Late night
in Jefferson Heights on Friday
Local time
12:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
58 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
41 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
2h 23m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Jefferson Heights, NY covers 115 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 4. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.5 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 $18.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 115 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 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Manhattan, NY and Jefferson Heights, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah and New York State Thruway North: Albany.
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.
