Origin
Nelson, NY
Morning in Nelson on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
240.9 mi
388 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nelson, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Brooklyn, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 240.9 miles and takes about 4h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, State Route 46, State Route 12B for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
120.5 miles from Nelson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
Full guide →Founded 1634
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city. Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest. Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
- • Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
- • Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 240.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 50m drive with frequent turns across 240.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 50m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | — | — |
| State Route 46 | — | — |
| State Route 12B | — | — |
| Utica Street | — | — |
| Broad Street | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
| Highway 12B | — | — |
| Highway 12 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 20
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nelson, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on US 20
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 20
2
Continue on State Route 46
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 46
3
Continue on State Route 12B
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 12B
4
Continue on Utica Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Utica Street
5
Turn slight right onto Broad Street
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
6
Continue on State Route 12B
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 12B
7
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
8
Continue on State Highway 12B
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 12B
9
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
10
Continue on State Highway 12
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 12
11
Continue on North Broad Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
12
Turn left onto Rexford Street
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Rexford Street
13
Turn right onto State Highway 8
18 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 8
14
Continue on Airport Road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Airport Road
15
Continue on State Highway 8
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 8
16
Continue on Oak Street
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Oak Street
17
Continue on State Highway 10
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
State Highway 10
18
Take the exit left toward NY 17 East
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
NY 17 East
19
Merge slight left
105 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
20
Keep slight left to continue on I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
21
Keep slight right to continue on I 87 Toll South: New York City
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 87 Toll South: New York City
22
Merge slight left onto New York State Thruway
14 mi
·
15 min
·
New York State Thruway
23
Keep slight right to continue on I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
24
Continue straight
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
25
Keep slight left to continue on NJ 17 South: Mahwah
23 mi
·
29 min
·
NJ 17 South: Mahwah
26
Take the exit straight toward NJ 3 East: New York
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
NJ 3 East: New York
27
Merge slight left
4.2 mi
·
4 min
28
Continue on Tonnelle Avenue
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tonnelle Avenue
29
Keep slight left to continue on Tonnelle Avenue
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Tonnelle Avenue
30
Take the exit left toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
31
Merge slight right onto Conrail Viaduct
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
32
Continue on 12th Street Viaduct
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
33
Continue on 12th Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
34
Keep slight left to continue on Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
35
Take the exit slight right toward NY 9A
430 ft
·
15 sec
·
NY 9A
36
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Laight Street
37
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Street
38
Take the exit slight left toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
39
Continue on Gowanus Expressway
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
Gowanus Expressway
40
Take the exit slight left toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
41
Take the exit slight right toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center
42
Turn left onto Caton Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Caton Avenue
43
Continue on Linden Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Linden Boulevard
44
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Nostrand Avenue
45
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 120.5 miles from Nelson, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nelson, 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 Nelson, NY
This is one driving day of about 240.9 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Nelson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.5 mi from Nelson, NY · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.5 miles from Nelson, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brooklyn, NY
The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, 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
$39.65 one way
$79.31 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $42.88 | $85.76 |
| premium | $4.92 | $46.69 | $93.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.19 | $106.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
$0.00
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
$40
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.29 | $11.56 |
| Efficient EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.08 | $9.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.73 | $15.42 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Brooklyn, NY
Morning in Brooklyn on Saturday
Local time
7:50 AM
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
3 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 50m 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 Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY covers 240.9 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, State Route 46, State Route 12B. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.5 miles from Nelson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.65 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 straightforward 4h 50m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Nelson, NY to Brooklyn, NY does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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