Trip from New York City, NY to Staten Island, NY

Drive Time

35m

Distance

18.1 mi

29 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 33m ★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m

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

Trip Overview

Traveling from New York City to Staten Island is a quick, 18.1-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes under normal conditions. Because this trip is so short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Gowanus Expressway, and the Staten Island Expressway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route within the Northeast region. It serves as a straightforward connection between two of New York's boroughs, making it an efficient choice for those looking to cross between the city and the island without a long commitment 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

9.1 miles from New York City, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that relies heavily on major infrastructure to carry you through the city. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, so be prepared for a steady pace rather than a scenic, leisurely cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4.7-mile segment on the Gowanus Expressway, which serves as a key artery for the trip. Since you won't be making any scheduled stops, the drive maintains a consistent, functional rhythm from start to finish. You should anticipate a high-traffic environment typical of these major expressways as you transition between the boroughs.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gowanus Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 4.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

44 ft 15 ft

Total Climb

34 ft

Total Descent

25 ft

Highest Point

44 ft

~6.8 mi in

Elevation Range

28 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 18.1 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 0.1 miles (Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 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

Turn left onto Chambers Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Centre Street

Turn right onto Centre Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
1.3 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza West

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

Use the right lane. Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadma...
7
1.6 mi into trip | ~4m in | Hicks Street

Turn left onto Hicks Street toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway west

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway west
8
13.4 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward Slosson Avenue, Todt Hill Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12 Toward Slosson Avenue, Todt Hill Road

Towns Along This Route

Between New York City, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.

Cadman Plaza West

1.3 mi in | ~3m

Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West

1.6 mi in | ~4m | via Hicks Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gowanus Expressway 4.7 mi 6m
Staten Island Expressway 2.9 mi 4m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 2.7 mi 4m
Manor Road 2.1 mi 5m
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge 1.4 mi 2m
Brooklyn Bridge 1.1 mi 2m
Richmond Road 0.7 mi 1m
Rockland Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Gowanus Expressway — 4.7 mi, about 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Broadway

79 ft · 10 sec · Broadway
2

Turn left onto Chambers Street

0.1 mi · 36 sec · Chambers Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
3

Turn right onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Centre Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Continue on Brooklyn Bridge

1.1 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn Bridge
5

Take the exit

343 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza West Use the right lane.
6

Turn right

254 ft · 9 sec
Toward I 278: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
7

Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West

232 ft · 6 sec · Cadman Plaza West
8

Continue on Old Fulton Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Old Fulton Street
9

Turn left onto Hicks Street

314 ft · 13 sec · Hicks Street
Toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway west Use the left lane.
10

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · this road
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
11

Merge onto I 278

2.5 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Use the none lane.
12

Continue on I 278

1.9 mi · 2 min · Gowanus Expressway
Use the none lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Toward I 278: Staten Island Use the none lane.
14

Continue on I 278

2.2 mi · 3 min · Gowanus Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Gowanus Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 278

1.4 mi · 2 min · Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
17

Continue on I 278

2.9 mi · 4 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 12 Toward Slosson Avenue, Todt Hill Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on Reon Avenue

397 ft · 9 sec · Reon Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20

Continue on Reon Avenue

358 ft · 8 sec · Reon Avenue
21

Keep slight left at fork onto North Gannon Avenue

0.1 mi · 21 sec · North Gannon Avenue
22

Turn left onto Manor Road

0.8 mi · 2 min · Manor Road
Use the none lane.
23

Continue on Manor Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · Manor Road
24

Turn left onto Rockland Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Rockland Avenue
25

Continue on Richmond Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Richmond Road
26

Turn left onto Kensico Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Kensico Street
27

At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue

284 ft · 13 sec · Clarke Avenue
28

Turn right onto Cotter Avenue

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Cotter Avenue
29

Continue on Corona Avenue

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Corona Avenue
30

Turn right onto Croft Court

147 ft · 6 sec · Croft Court
31

Arrive at destination

Croft Court

Trip Plan

Given the short 35-minute duration of this trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check current traffic reports before heading out. Since there are zero planned stops on this 18.1-mile path, ensure you have everything you need before merging onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Budgeting $3 for fuel makes this an easy trip to manage financially, but keep in mind that urban congestion can easily extend your travel time beyond the 35-minute estimate. A smart tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic conditions on the Gowanus Expressway closely, as this 4.7-mile stretch is often the most significant bottleneck you will face during your transit.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.1 miles from New York City, NY, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.7 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 18.1 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 9.1 miles or 16m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, 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 18.1 miles and 35m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Gowanus Expressway for about 4.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 9.1 mi from New York City, NY · 16m into the drive

Downtown Brooklyn, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn, NY

9 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

Brooklyn, NY to Staten Island, NY

15.2 mi · 33m

Pacing Suggestions

Brooklyn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 9.1 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Staten Island, NY

The final approach into Staten Island, 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 Staten Island, 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

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

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

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
Governors Island National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 2.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 3.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.95 one way

$5.89 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $3.19 $6.39
premium $4.88 $3.48 $6.96
diesel $5.64 $4.02 $8.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

W 75th Parking Garage - Tesla Supercharger

New York, NY

Tesla

4 DCFC

NBPA ADMIN DCFC

North Bergen, NJ

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 1 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.4 0 $1.90 $0.87
Efficient EV 4.5 0 $1.58 $0.72
EV Truck/SUV 7.2 0 $2.53 $1.16

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

New York City, NY

Evening in New York City on Sunday

Local time

8:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 14 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Staten Island, NY

Evening in Staten Island on Sunday

Local time

8:39 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

35m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from New York City, NY to Staten Island, NY covers 18.1 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gowanus Expressway, Staten Island Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.1 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 $2.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 18.1 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 0.1 miles (Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New York City, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.

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Return Trip

Staten Island, NY to New York City, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

18.3 mi 35m

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