This straightforward 213.2-mile drive from Manhattan, NY, to Smyrna, NY, can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 4 hours and 33 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 92% of the journey on major roads, making it a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Budget around $35 for fuel. You'll primarily be on NY 17 and NJ 17, with a segment of State Highway 8. This trip offers a direct connection within the Northeast region, ideal for a quick getaway or transit.
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
106.6 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 33m. Total distance: 213.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 213.2-mile trip. With 92% of the drive on major highways like NY 17 and NJ 17, you'll encounter mostly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 119.5 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, there's a section on State Highway 8 that might offer a slight change of pace before you continue on your way.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 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 119.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. 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 23 significant decision points across 213.2 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 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 23 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
44.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 Smyrna, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Walton.
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
Walton
151.2 mi in|~3h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
119.5 mi
2h 27m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
42m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
State Highway 12
10.2 mi
15m
West Street
8.3 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
State Route 80
3.7 mi
6m
Henry Hudson Parkway
3.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Smyrna, 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
14 mi·16 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
24
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton
29
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·State Highway 10
30
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
31
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
32
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
33
Continue on NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
34
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·West Street
35
Turn right onto NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
36
Continue on NY 12
10 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
37
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·53 sec·South Main Street
38
Turn left onto NY 80
528 ft·10 sec·West State Street
39
Continue on NY 80
3.7 mi·6 min·State Route 80
40
Continue on NY 80
0.4 mi·41 sec·East Main Street
41
Arrive at destination
NY 80
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 33-minute duration, departing Manhattan in the morning will allow you to reach Smyrna with plenty of daylight. While it's a single-day trip, plan for one stop to break up the 213.2 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel as you'll need approximately $35 worth; filling up before leaving Manhattan is a good strategy. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 119.5 miles on NY 17, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained driving before embarking.
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 106.6 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 47 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.6 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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 213.2 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 NY 17 for about 119.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.6 mi from Manhattan, NY
· 2h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 106.6 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 119.5 miles.
Arriving in Smyrna, NY
The final approach into Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, 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.
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
$35.09 one way
$70.19 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$37.95
$75.90
premium
$4.92
$41.32
$82.64
diesel
$5.61
$47.07
$94.14
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
$35
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.65
$8.53
EV Truck/SUV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.64
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Manhattan, NY
Morning
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
10:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 3 to 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Smyrna, NY
Morning
in Smyrna on Friday
Local time
10:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°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
51 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
4h 33m 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 Smyrna, NY covers 213.2 miles and takes about 4h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, State Highway 8, NJ 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.6 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 $35.09 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 23 significant decision points across 213.2 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.
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 Smyrna, NY, road signs point toward Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Walton.
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.
