Trip from New York City, NY to Macedon, NY

Drive Time

6h 25m

Distance

301.1 mi

485 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 13m ★
6 AM
6h 26m
8 AM
6h 51m
10 AM
6h 35m
12 PM
6h 32m
3 PM
6h 36m
5 PM
6h 49m
8 PM
6h 18m

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

Downtown New York City, NY, NY

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown Macedon, NY, NY

Macedon, NY

Benoit Dujardin

Trip Overview

Traveling from New York City to Macedon covers 301.1 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. Budgeting approximately $48 for fuel should cover your expenses for the trip. You will primarily utilize I-81, I-380, and the Christopher Columbus Highway to navigate out of the Northeast corridor. It is a straightforward transit that connects the busy urban landscape of the city to the quieter setting of Macedon, making it a functional route for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.

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

150.6 miles from New York City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a turn-heavy profile, offering a mix of terrain that keeps the drive engaging. With 55% of your journey spent on highways, you will encounter varying road conditions throughout the 301.1-mile trek. You can expect a significant stretch of open road, with your longest uninterrupted segment lasting 97.3 miles on I-81. While the interstate sections allow for steady progress, the local portions require more active focus behind the wheel. The transition from major corridors to more localized roads defines the character of this drive, ensuring the experience is far from a monotonous interstate grind.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 58 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

1,828 ft 34 ft

Total Climb

2,331 ft

Total Descent

1,895 ft

Highest Point

1,828 ft

~112.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,793 ft

Notable High Points

1,828 ft at ~112.9 miles +624 ft prominence

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 early in the drive near Chambers Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

Complex — stay alert throughout

This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 301.1 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp — move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one; at 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 38 key points

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

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Chambers Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in

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

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...
7
4.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
8
290.5 mi into trip | ~6h 9m in

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 43 Toward NY 21: Manchester, Palmyra

Towns Along This Route

Between New York City, NY and Macedon, 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
New York State Thruway 19.4 mi 22m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
NJ 3 10.9 mi 13m
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
Clinton Street 10.5 mi 15m
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 Macedon, NY.

1

Start on Broadway

79 ft · 7 sec · Broadway
2

Turn right onto Chambers Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Chambers Street
Use the none lane.
3

Turn right onto Church Street

215 ft · 16 sec · Church Street
4

Turn left onto Reade Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Reade Street
5

Turn right onto Hudson Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Hudson Street
6

Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Hudson Street
Use the none lane.
7

Take the exit

406 ft · 14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 78

1.8 mi · 3 min · Holland Tunnel
9

Continue on I 78

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

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.
11

Continue on NJ 139

0.8 mi · 1 min · NJ 139 Lower Level
12

Continue on NJ 139

406 ft · 7 sec · Pulaski Skyway
13

Take the exit

420 ft · 14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn right onto US 1; US 9

2.6 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto NJ 3

11 mi · 13 min · NJ 3
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46
Use the none lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
18

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
23

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
24

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
25

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
26

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

37 mi · 43 min · I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
28

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Exit 52 Toward NY 13: Cortland
29

Turn right onto NY 13

39 ft · 5 sec · Clinton Avenue
30

Turn left onto Locust Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Locust Avenue
31

Continue on Albany Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Albany Street
32

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

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
33

Turn left onto NY 41

10 mi · 15 min · Clinton Street
34

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road
35

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41
36

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road
37

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 48 sec · East Lake Street
38

Turn left onto US 20

7.3 mi · 13 min · East Genesee Street
39

Turn right onto US 20

0.2 mi · 12 sec · North Fulton Street
40

Turn left onto US 20; NY 5

0.4 mi · 1 min · Arterial West
41

Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38

9.8 mi · 11 min · Chase Street
Use the none lane.
42

Continue on US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road
43

Turn right onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318
44

Continue on NY 318

319 ft · 10 sec · NY 318
Use the right lane.
45

Turn right onto NY 414

0.3 mi · 28 sec · State Route 414
Use the right lane.
46

Continue on NY 414

217 ft · 11 sec · Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
47

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Use the left lane.
48

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo Use the straight / right lanes.
49

Merge onto I 90

19 mi · 22 min · New York State Thruway
Use the none lane.
50

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 43 Toward NY 21: Manchester, Palmyra Use the slight right lane.
51

Turn left onto NY 21

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Main Street
52

Continue on NY 21

4.3 mi · 6 min · State Route 21
53

Continue on NY 21

1.1 mi · 1 min · Canandaigua Road
54

Continue on NY 21

0.5 mi · 54 sec · Canandaigua Street
55

Turn left onto NY 31

0.7 mi · 49 sec · West Main Street
56

Continue on NY 31

2.4 mi · 2 min · State Route 31
57

Continue on NY 31

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
58

Arrive at destination

NY 31

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 25-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route involves a mix of highway and local roads, leaving early in the morning can help you avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near the city. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate the turn-heavy local segments, though a $48 budget should be sufficient for the full distance. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prepare for the transition between the high-speed stretches of I-81 and the local roads leading into Macedon. Staying flexible with your timing will ensure you arrive feeling rested rather than rushed.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 150.6 miles from New York City, NY, or about 3h 5m 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 150.6 miles or 3h 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macedon, 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 301.1 miles and 6h 25m.

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 150.6 mi from New York City, NY · 3h 5m into the drive

Downtown Cortland, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cortland, NY

151 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

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 150.6 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 Macedon, NY

The final approach into Macedon, 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 Macedon, 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

$47.52 one way

$95.05 round trip

$4.01/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $53.12 $106.24
premium $4.86 $57.62 $115.25
diesel $4.69 $55.64 $111.29

Estimated Tolls: $16.97

Holland Tunnel $16.00
New York State Thruway (19.4 mi) $0.97

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

$48

Tolls

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$89–$114

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.3 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.3 1 $31.62 $14.45
Efficient EV 75.3 0 $26.35 $12.04
EV Truck/SUV 120.4 1 $42.15 $19.27

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

New York City, NY

Late night in New York City on Monday

Local time

12:10 AM

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

Destination

Macedon, NY

Late night in Macedon on Monday

Local time

12:10 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

6 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

6h 25m 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 New York City, NY to Macedon, NY covers 301.1 miles and takes about 6h 25m 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. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 150.6 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 $47.52 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 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 demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 301.1 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: near the start (Chambers Street): 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; at 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
Between New York City, NY and Macedon, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.

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Return Trip

Macedon, NY to New York City, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

296.8 mi 6h 25m

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