Origin
Manhattan, NY
Afternoon in Manhattan on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manhattan, NY to Waverly, NY
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
217.9 mi
351 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Waverly, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Manhattan to Waverly covers 217.9 miles of New York State, typically requiring about 4 hours and 28 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Northeast, you will remain in a familiar regional environment throughout the trip. Budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the trek. While you could technically push through in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it a tiring endeavor. Consider whether you prefer a direct push or a more relaxed pace before heading out from the city.
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
109 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a technical, turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise. You will spend your time navigating local streets like West 86th Street, Columbus Avenue, and 9th Avenue, as the route features a 0% highway share. Because the longest stretch of road is found on West 86th Street with 0 miles of uninterrupted travel, you should prepare for constant maneuvering and frequent turns. This route lacks the monotony of interstate travel, demanding your full attention as you transition out of the urban environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 217.9 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 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 22 key pointsThese 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
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
8
217.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 61
Toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre
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 Waverly, 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 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| I 86 | 38.8 mi | 45m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| NJ 3 | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| Lincoln Tunnel | 3.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Waverly, 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 Jersey
Use 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: Secaucus
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
453 ft
·
7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton
Use 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, Mahwah
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Use 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 293
Toward 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
39 mi
·
45 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 61
Toward NY 34, PA 199: Waverly, Sayre
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto NY 34
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Cayuta Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto NY 17C
44 ft
·
0 sec
·
Chemung Street
26
Arrive at destination
NY 17C
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to depart early in the day to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near Manhattan. You should plan for at least one stop during the 217.9-mile journey to rest your eyes and stretch your legs. Keep your navigation tools ready since the lack of highway driving means you will be relying on local turn-by-turn directions for the entire duration. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $34, filling up before you leave the city is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to pull over whenever you need a break from the constant turning.
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 109 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 18m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 217.9 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 81 for about 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109 mi from Manhattan, NY · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Waverly, NY
The final approach into Waverly, 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 Waverly, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.87 one way
$71.74 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
| premium | $4.92 | $42.23 | $84.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.11 | $96.22 |
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
$36
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
| Efficient EV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.07 | $8.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.2 | 1 | $30.51 | $13.95 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Destination
Waverly, NY
Afternoon in Waverly on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Ramapo, NY
109 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
7 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 28m 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 Waverly, NY covers 217.9 miles and takes about 4h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, I 86. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109 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 $35.87 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 22 significant decision points across 217.9 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 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 Waverly, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.
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