This 364.7-mile journey from Medina, NY, to Manhattan, NY, will take approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, though you might appreciate breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You'll primarily travel on I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway, with a highway share of 52%. Expect to spend around $60 on fuel for this trip. With two recommended stops, this route offers a direct path within the Northeast region.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.4 miles from Medina, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 364.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This drive presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for a significant portion, meaning you'll encounter varied road types rather than a continuous interstate experience. While 52% of the route is on highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 98.8 miles on I-81. This suggests a mix of faster highway segments interspersed with more winding, local roads. You can anticipate needing to navigate various conditions and potentially slower speeds as you move between major thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 73 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 98.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.3 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 42 significant decision points across 364.7 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 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 42 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
239.6 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
354.1 mi into trip|~7h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
354.4 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
358.3 mi into trip|~7h 27m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
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.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medina, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Clyde
89.3 mi in|~1h 48m
Mt Pocono
239.6 mi in|~5h 4m|via US 6
Milford
240.3 mi in|~5h 6m|via I 84; I 380
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
State Route 31
11.2 mi
12m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on NY 31; NY 63
126 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 31
0.8 mi·56 sec·East Center Street
3
Continue on NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Million Dollar Highway
4
Turn straight onto NY 31
7.1 mi·8 min·State Route 31
5
Continue on NY 31
2.2 mi·2 min·West Avenue
6
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
7
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
8
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
9
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
10
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
11
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
12
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
13
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
14
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
15
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
16
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
17
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
18
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
19
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
20
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
22
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
24
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
27
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
28
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
30
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
32
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
33
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
34
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
35
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
36
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
37
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
38
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
41
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
42
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
44
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
49
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
50
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
53
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
54
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
56
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
57
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
58
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
59
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
61
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
62
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
63
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
64
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
66
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
67
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
69
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
70
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
71
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
72
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
73
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Medina to avoid potential traffic as you approach Manhattan. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 100 miles on I-81, so plan your last fuel stop before entering that segment. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, staying alert and mindful of navigation will be key, especially as you get closer to your destination.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.4 miles from Medina, NY, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.4 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medina, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medina, NY
This is one driving day of about 364.7 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Medina, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 182.4 mi from Medina, NY
· 3h 56m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.03 one way
$120.06 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$64.91
$129.83
premium
$4.92
$70.69
$141.37
diesel
$5.61
$80.52
$161.04
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$60
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.4
1
$38.29
$17.51
Efficient EV
91.2
1
$31.91
$14.59
EV Truck/SUV
145.9
1
$51.06
$23.34
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Medina, NY
Afternoon
in Medina on Friday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Afternoon
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
1:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
9 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
7h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Medina, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 364.7 miles and takes about 7h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 182.4 miles from Medina, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 42 significant decision points across 364.7 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 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 354.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Medina, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
