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Create accountDrive Time
4h 40m
Distance
226.4 mi
364 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Ithaca, NY
Beth Fitzpatrick
Driving from New York City to Ithaca covers 226.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is entirely feasible as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight stay if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey. Connecting the bustling Northeast urban center to the scenic Finger Lakes region, the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-81, the Christopher Columbus Highway, and US 11. It is a straightforward trip that balances the intensity of leaving the city with the steady, predictable flow of upstate highway driving.
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
113.2 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Expect a trip defined by efficiency, as highway travel accounts for 69% of your total time behind the wheel. The journey transitions from dense metropolitan infrastructure to more open, consistent stretches of interstate. You will face your longest uninterrupted segment on I-81, which spans 73.8 miles and allows for steady cruising. While the route is largely interstate-based, the shift in scenery as you move through New York state provides a noticeable change in pace. Overall, the drive feels practical and focused, prioritizing speed and navigation over the technical turns found on local backroads.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,953 ft
Total Descent
2,575 ft
Highest Point
1,820 ft
~113.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,817 ft
Notable High Points
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.
Complex — stay alert throughout
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 226.4 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Lane positioning matters here
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between New York City, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
Del Water Gap
Mahwah
Albany
Lisle
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 73.8 mi | 1h 28m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| US 11 | 30.6 mi | 40m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| NJ 3 | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Ithaca, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn right onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Turn left onto Reade Street
Turn right onto Hudson Street
Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street
Take the exit
Merge onto I 78
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
Turn straight onto NJ 3
Merge onto US 46
Take the exit
Continue on I 80W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Take the exit
Turn right onto NY 26
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
Continue on US 11; NY 79
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 226.4-mile trek, aim to depart early to avoid lingering city traffic and maximize your time in Ithaca. Since the itinerary includes only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the conclusion of the longest 73.8-mile stretch on I-81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $36 estimate can fluctuate based on idling in traffic or your vehicle's specific efficiency. Because this is a relatively manageable drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure based on your personal energy levels rather than strict time constraints. Staying alert during the transition from high-speed interstates to the final approach onto US 11 is key to a smooth arrival.
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.
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 113.2 miles or 2h 21m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ithaca, NY than in the middle of the route.
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 226.4 miles and 4h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.2 mi from New York City, NY · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 113.2 miles from New York City, 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 73.8 miles.
The final approach into Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.73 one way
$71.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
| premium | $4.86 | $43.33 | $86.66 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $41.84 | $83.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$36
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.77 | $10.87 |
| Efficient EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.81 | $9.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.70 | $14.49 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
5:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Evening in Ithaca on Sunday
Local time
5:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
113 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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