Trip from Palermo, NY to Manhattan, NY

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 46m

Distance

283.6 mi

456 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 34m ★

6 AM

5h 47m

8 AM

6h 13m

10 AM

5h 56m

12 PM

5h 53m

3 PM

5h 57m

5 PM

6h 12m

8 PM

5h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Palermo, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Palermo to Manhattan covers 284.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a more relaxed pace. Budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the trip. Since both points are located within the Northeast, you will remain within the same geographic region throughout your transit. This route is best treated as a straightforward transition between Upstate New York and the city, so plan your schedule around the heavy traffic patterns often found in the metropolitan area.

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

141.8 miles from Palermo, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 283.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route lacks significant highway travel. You will navigate a series of local roads that require your full attention, making the experience feel much more hands-on than a standard high-speed commute. Because the highway share is 0%, the pace is dictated by local conditions and turns rather than consistent expressway speeds. You should be prepared for a drive that demands constant engagement behind the wheel as you navigate away from the quieter northern reaches toward the dense environment of Manhattan.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 37 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 136.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 158.5 miles in near US 6.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 283.6 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 158.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

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

158.5 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...

273 mi into trip | ~5h 27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...

273.3 mi into trip | ~5h 27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck

277.2 mi into trip | ~5h 34m in | US 9

Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street

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 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...

277.6 mi into trip | ~5h 35m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Palermo, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

158.5 mi in | ~3h 11m | via US 6

Milford

159.2 mi in | ~3h 12m | via I 84; I 380

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	136.4 mi	2h 42m
Keystone Shortway	80 mi	1h 37m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
NY 481	12.5 mi	14m
State Route 264	7.2 mi	10m
Christopher Columbus Highway	5.5 mi	5m
Henry Hudson Parkway	4.2 mi	6m
I 84	3.7 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 136.4 mi, about 2h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palermo, NY and Manhattan, NY.

Start on NY 3

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Route 3

Turn straight onto NY 264

7.2 mi · 10 min · State Route 264

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward NY 481 South

Merge onto NY 481

13 mi · 14 min · NY 481

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Exit 9S Toward I 81 South: Syracuse

Merge onto I 81

10 mi · 13 min · I 81

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6

Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380

Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9

Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown Use the straight lane.

Merge onto HH; NY 9A

4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West 79th Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West 79th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Broadway

Turn right onto West 86th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 86th Street

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 86th Street Transverse

Toward East Side Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

To ensure the smoothest arrival in Manhattan, try to time your departure to avoid the peak congestion hours that often plague the city's entry points. Since the 284.3-mile distance is condensed into a 4 hour and 45 minute window, you have the flexibility to make the trip in one go without needing multiple overnight stops. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $45 estimate can fluctuate based on local pricing along your specific path. A practical tip for this route is to map out your final approach into Manhattan in advance, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can make navigation tricky once you reach the final, more congested leg of your journey.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 141.8 miles from Palermo, NY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.4 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 62 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 141.8 miles or 2h 51m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Palermo, 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 Palermo, NY

This is one driving day of about 283.6 miles and 5h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Palermo, 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 136.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.8 mi from Palermo, NY · 2h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Jervis, NY

142 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

Port Jervis, NY to Manhattan, NY

74.2 mi · 1h 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Cortland, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Binghamton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.8 miles from Palermo, 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 136.4 miles.

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

The final approach into Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.68 one way

$93.36 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$50.48	$100.96
premium	$4.92	$54.97	$109.93
diesel	$5.61	$62.62	$125.23

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

George Washington Bridge $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

$47

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.1	1	$29.78	$13.61
Efficient EV	70.9	0	$24.82	$11.34
EV Truck/SUV	113.4	1	$39.70	$18.15

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Palermo, NY

Morning in Palermo on Thursday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Morning in Manhattan on Thursday

Local time

6:36 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

8 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

5h 46m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Palermo, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 283.6 miles and takes about 5h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 141.8 miles from Palermo, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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.