Origin
Monticello, NY
Night in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monticello, NY to New York City, NY
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
93.8 mi
151 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monticello, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Trip Overview
Driving from Monticello to New York City is a straightforward 93.8-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 1 minute. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $15 on fuel, making it an affordable commute between the Catskills region and the urban center of New York City. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like NY 17, NJ 17, and the New York State Thruway. Whether you are heading into the city for business or returning home, this drive offers a reliable connection that keeps your travel time predictable and your budget in check.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Monticello, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 73% of this route is comprised of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating major arteries, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 41.4 miles on NY 17. The transition from the more open roads near Monticello to the denser traffic patterns closer to the city defines the personality of this drive. It is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely cruising, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination. While the road conditions are generally consistent, remain prepared for the shift in pace as you move from regional highways into the higher-volume traffic lanes approaching New York City.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 41.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,510 ft
453 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
1,057 ft
Highest Point
1,510 ft
Elevation Range
1,057 ft
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 42.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
Complex — stay alert throughout
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 93.8 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 42.9 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 43.6 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
7
43.6 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
9
58.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
NY 17
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
NJ 17
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
89.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Towns Along This Route
The route from Monticello, NY to New York City, NY passes through Nyst: Albany along the way.
Nyst: Albany
42.9 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 41.4 mi | 49m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| New York State Thruway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Broadway | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Conrail Viaduct | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 41.4 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 42
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway
2
Enter roundabout
224 ft
·
12 sec
Toward NY 17
3
Continue
85 ft
·
1 sec
Toward NY 17
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York City
5
Merge onto NY 17
40 mi
·
48 min
·
NY 17
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 87
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
NY 17
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
13
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
NJ 3
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the left lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
18
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
21
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight / none lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 2-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak rush hour traffic is always a smart move. You don't need to schedule formal stops given the short duration, but keep in mind that the majority of your travel happens on high-speed roads. Make sure your fuel tank is ready for the $15 estimated cost before you head out, as options can get busier and more expensive as you approach the city. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for the New York State Thruway and NJ 17 segments, as congestion can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day.
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 46.9 miles from Monticello, NY, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.4 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 miles or 58m 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 35m
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 Monticello, 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 Monticello, NY
This is one driving day of about 93.8 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Monticello, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 41.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.9 mi from Monticello, NY · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 46.9 miles from Monticello, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$14.80 one way
$29.61 round trip
$4.01/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $16.55 | $33.10 |
| premium | $4.86 | $17.95 | $35.90 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $17.33 | $34.67 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.68
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)
$0.68
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
$15
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.85 | $4.50 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.13 | $6.00 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Night in New York City on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 14 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
47 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
1 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
2h 1m 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 Monticello, NY to New York City, NY covers 93.8 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, New York State Thruway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.9 miles from Monticello, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.80 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 93.8 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 42.9 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 43.6 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
The route from Monticello, NY to New York City, NY passes through Nyst: Albany along the way.
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