Trip from New York City, NY to Auburn, NY

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

254 mi

409 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 11m ★

6 AM

5h 24m

8 AM

5h 51m

10 AM

5h 33m

12 PM

5h 31m

3 PM

5h 35m

5 PM

5h 50m

8 PM

5h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Auburn, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Driving from New York City to Auburn covers 254 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 24 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is entirely feasible as a single-day trip, though you should be prepared for a substantial stint behind the wheel. Budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the journey. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the urban density of New York City to the upstate environment of Auburn. This route is straightforward and efficient, making it a reliable choice if your priority is reaching your destination without excessive detours.

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

127 miles from New York City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-dominant experience, as 61% of your travel time will be spent on major interstates like I-81 and I-380. The road feels like a consistent, high-speed transit route, particularly along the Christopher Columbus Highway. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.3 miles on I-81, which requires steady focus and endurance. While the initial leg involves navigating away from the city, the majority of the drive settles into a predictable, fast-paced interstate rhythm. It is a functional drive designed for distance rather than technical maneuvering or winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 40 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 97.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,514 ft 8 ft

Total Climb

2,122 ft

Total Descent

1,037 ft

Highest Point

1,514 ft

~116.4 mi in

Elevation Range

1,506 ft

Notable High Points

937 ft at ~52.9 miles +616 ft prominence

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 early in the drive near Chambers Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 254 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: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Hudson Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chambers Street

Turn right onto Chambers Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in | Hudson Street

Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey

3 mi into trip | ~8m in | NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Bou...

4.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Secausus

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus

Towns Along This Route

Between New York City, NY and Auburn, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

Del Water Gap

28.5 mi in | ~39m

Mahwah

28.8 mi in | ~39m | via I 80W

Albany

179 mi in | ~3h 39m | via I 81

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	97.3 mi	1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway	44.6 mi	52m
I 380	27.7 mi	30m
Keystone Shortway	17.3 mi	24m
NJ 3	10.9 mi	13m
US 46	10.8 mi	12m
Clinton Street	10.5 mi	15m
East Lake Road	9.9 mi	14m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Auburn, NY.

Start on Broadway

79 ft · 7 sec · Broadway

Turn right onto Chambers Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Chambers Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Church Street

215 ft · 16 sec · Church Street

Turn left onto Reade Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Reade Street

Turn right onto Hudson Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hudson Street

Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Hudson Street

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

406 ft · 14 sec

Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 78

1.8 mi · 3 min · Holland Tunnel

Continue on I 78

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 14th Street Viaduct

Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City Use the none lane.

Continue on NJ 139

0.8 mi · 1 min · NJ 139 Lower Level

Continue on NJ 139

406 ft · 7 sec · Pulaski Skyway

Take the exit

420 ft · 14 sec

Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto US 1; US 9

2.6 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn straight onto NJ 3

11 mi · 13 min · NJ 3

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West

Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street

Turn left onto US 20

7.7 mi · 14 min · East Genesee Street

Turn left onto NY 34; NY 38

20 ft · 0 sec · South Street

Arrive at destination

NY 34; NY 38

Trip Plan

To keep your drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5.5-hour duration. Because the route is highway-heavy, leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion near the city. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, keeping in mind that the $40 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on current prices. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time effectively to stretch and refuel before tackling the final stretch of the 254-mile journey. Having this flexibility allows you to manage the longest 97.3-mile segment on I-81 with greater ease.

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 127 miles from New York City, NY, or about 2h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 42m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127 miles or 2h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY

This is one driving day of about 254 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New York City, 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 97.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 127 mi from New York City, NY · 2h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

127 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.

Popular next leg

Ramapo, NY to Auburn, NY

226.7 mi · 4h 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cortland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.3 miles.

Arriving in Auburn, NY

The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, NY.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...

0 mi from route Free

View on nps.gov

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 254

View on nps.gov

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.35 one way

$82.70 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$44.81	$89.62
premium	$4.88	$48.83	$97.66
diesel	$5.64	$56.43	$112.86

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Holland 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

$41

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

5 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

Atlantic Center - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Brooklyn Museum - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, NY

Tesla

10 DCFC

59 Allen Street - Tesla Supercharger

New York, NY

Tesla

4 DCFC

Supercharge NYC

Brooklyn, NY

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

Supercharge Queens

Queens, NY

CHARGELAB

2 DCFC

Tesla: 3 CHARGELAB: 2

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	76.2	0	$26.67	$12.19
Efficient EV	63.5	0	$22.22	$10.16
EV Truck/SUV	101.6	1	$35.56	$16.26

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

New York City, NY

Evening in New York City on Sunday

Local time

8:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 14 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Auburn, NY

Evening in Auburn on Sunday

Local time

8:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

127 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 24m 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 New York City, NY to Auburn, NY covers 254 miles and takes about 5h 24m 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 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 127 miles from New York City, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.35 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.

Between New York City, NY and Auburn, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

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Auburn, NY to New York City, NY

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250.6 mi 5h 25m

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Trip from New York City, NY to Auburn, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Auburn, NY

National Parks Near This Route

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Stonewall National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

New York City, NY

Auburn, NY

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 24m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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