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Create accountDrive Time
2h 2m
Distance
93.9 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
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
Monticello, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
If you are looking for a quick getaway from New York City to the Catskills, the 93.9-mile journey to Monticello is a straightforward choice. You can comfortably complete this trip in about two hours and two minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $15 on fuel, keeping your travel costs quite manageable for a weekend excursion. The route primarily relies on NJ 3, NJ 17, and NY 17 to navigate you out of the urban landscape and into the Northeast region. Because the drive is relatively short and efficient, it works perfectly for travelers who want to maximize their time at the destination rather than spending the day behind the wheel.
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
47 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive is built for efficiency, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself cruising along major arteries for the bulk of the 93.9-mile distance, providing a consistent pace as you leave the city behind. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 54.7 miles on NY 17, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. While the route lacks the complexity of technical local backroads, it offers a functional and predictable experience for the driver. Expect the character of the road to shift from busy urban corridors to a more open, highway-dominant environment as you transition into the northern part of the state.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
290 ft
Total Descent
27 ft
Highest Point
297 ft
~35.2 mi in
Elevation Range
290 ft
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 0.8 miles in.
Complex — stay alert throughout
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 93.9 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 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; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
The route from New York City, NY to Monticello, NY passes through New York State Thruway North: Albany along the way.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 54.7 mi | 1h 4m |
| NJ 17 | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| East Broadway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| NJ 139 Lower Level | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Hudson Street | 0.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Monticello, 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
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on NY 17
Take the exit
Continue on CR 173A
Turn left onto CR 173A
Enter roundabout onto CR 173
Continue on CR 173
Arrive at destination
To ensure a smooth transition out of the metro area, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic, as the heavy highway reliance makes this route sensitive to congestion. Since the drive is a manageable two-hour stint, you likely won't need to plan for major stops, but having a full tank before you leave will help you stay within your $15 fuel budget. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; because the trip is so short, you can easily adjust your departure based on your personal schedule without worrying about a grueling travel day. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between NJ 17 and NY 17 to ensure you stay on track during the 54.7-mile stretch. Ultimately, the simplicity of this route allows you to focus on the destination rather than complex navigation.
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.
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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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 93.9 miles and 2h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47 mi from New York City, NY · 1h 3m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 47 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Monticello, 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 Monticello, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.82 one way
$29.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $16.57 | $33.13 |
| premium | $4.86 | $17.97 | $35.94 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $17.35 | $34.71 |
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
$15
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.86 | $4.51 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.22 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.15 | $6.01 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in New York City on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Night in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
9:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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