Origin
Medina, NY
Afternoon in Medina on Sunday
Local time
4:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medina, NY to New York City, NY
Drive Time
7h 36m
Distance
356.5 mi
574 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 27m
★
6 AM
7h 36m
8 AM
7h 56m
10 AM
7h 43m
12 PM
7h 41m
3 PM
7h 44m
5 PM
7h 55m
8 PM
7h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medina, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Medina to New York City covers 356.5 miles, a journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 36 minutes. You will primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway to reach your destination. While the trip is manageable as a one-day drive, the duration makes it a full day behind the wheel, so plan your schedule accordingly. Budget roughly $56 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Northeast locations. Because this route requires consistent attention, you might consider if you prefer a single long haul or a more relaxed pace.
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
178.3 miles from Medina, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full focus as you transition between different road types. With 57% of the trip spent on highways, you will experience a mix of fast-paced travel and more technical driving segments. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-81, which spans 98.8 miles. The character of the road shifts frequently, requiring you to adapt to varying traffic patterns and road layouts throughout the 356.5-mile journey. Prepare for a dynamic experience that balances long highway miles with more demanding local road sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 67 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,889 ft
34 ft
Total Climb
3,309 ft
Total Descent
3,810 ft
Highest Point
1,889 ft
~252.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,855 ft
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 38 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 37 significant decision points across 356.5 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 38 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 37 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
38 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 490 East: Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
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
7
186.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
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
351.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Towns Along This Route
Between Medina, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
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
Newark
331.9 mi in
|
~6h 56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 98.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| New York State Thruway | 30 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Western Expressway | 20.1 mi | 26m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| State Route 31 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, NY and New York City, 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
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
22
Merge onto I 490
20 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Expressway
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Use 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 none / 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: Scranton
Use the none lane.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use 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, Milford
Use the straight lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
49
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
50
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
52
Continue on I 280
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the none lane.
53
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17A
Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
54
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the none lane.
55
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
57
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
58
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight lane.
59
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
60
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
Use the none lane.
61
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
62
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
63
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
65
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
66
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
67
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least two stops to break up the 7-hour and 36-minute travel time. Since the route is turn-heavy, leave early in the day to ensure you aren't navigating complex local roads during late-night fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $56 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time. Because the longest stretch of 98.8 miles occurs on I-81, try to time your first break shortly after completing that segment to refresh your focus. This approach allows you to maintain a steady rhythm while staying alert for the remainder of the trip.
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 178.3 miles from Medina, NY, or about 3h 52m 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 178.3 miles or 3h 52m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, 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 356.5 miles and 7h 36m.
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 178.3 mi from Medina, NY · 3h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 178.3 miles from Medina, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.8 miles.
Arriving in New York City, NY
The final approach into New York City, 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 New York City, 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
$58.04 one way
$116.07 round trip
$4.14/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $62.89 | $125.79 |
| premium | $4.88 | $68.54 | $137.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $79.20 | $158.40 |
Estimated Tolls: $17.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)
$1.50
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.14
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
$58
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107 | 1 | $37.43 | $17.11 |
| Efficient EV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.19 | $14.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.6 | 1 | $49.91 | $22.82 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
4:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 36m 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 New York City, NY covers 356.5 miles and takes about 7h 36m 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 178.3 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 $58.04 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 37 significant decision points across 356.5 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 38 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Medina, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 34 ft to 1,889 ft elevation with about 3,309 ft of total climbing.
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