Drive Time
50m
Distance
34.4 mi
55 km
Route Type
Highway-focused drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
If you are planning a quick getaway from New York City to Suffern, you can expect a straightforward trip covering 34.4 miles. The drive typically takes about 50 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $5 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. You will primarily navigate via NJ 3, NJ 17, and the Franklin Turnpike as you move through the Northeast. Because this is a short journey, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to easily complete the trek in a single afternoon or morning.
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
17.2 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
This 50-minute route is heavily highway-focused, with approximately 80% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself cruising along NJ 17 for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.1 miles, which defines the core pace of the trip. The transition from the dense urban environment of New York City to the more suburban setting of Suffern happens quickly as you shift between major arteries and local turns. While the road is utilitarian, the shift in scenery provides a clear sense of progress as you leave the city behind for the northern reaches of the state.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 17 | 19.1 mi | 23m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Franklin Turnpike | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| NJ 139 Lower Level | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Hudson Street | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| 14th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Suffern, NY.
Since the route is only 34.4 miles long, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that fits your personal preference rather than worrying about long-haul endurance. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops required, you can make this a nonstop sprint if traffic allows. To ensure a smooth experience, stay alert when transitioning between NJ 17 and the Franklin Turnpike, as the road character changes noticeably at these junctions. Monitor your fuel gauge before leaving the city, as your $5 budget is calculated for a direct trip without unnecessary idling or detours. Enjoy the efficiency of this short drive and use the extra time saved to settle in once you arrive in Suffern.
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 34.4 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.2 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suffern, 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 34.4 miles and 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.2 mi from New York City, NY · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Suffern, 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 Suffern, NY.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.43 one way
$10.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.58 | $13.17 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $6.36 | $12.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.23
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
$5
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in New York City on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Suffern on Saturday
Local time
9:56 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Yonkers, NY
17 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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