The drive from Rush, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 318.3 miles and takes about 6h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.8 miles on I 81.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
159.2 miles from Rush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 48m. Total distance: 318.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 48m drive with frequent turns across 318.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 62 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 98.8 miles.
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 around 42.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 44 significant decision points across 318.3 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 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 44 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
42.9 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
193.2 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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...
8
307.7 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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...
9
308 mi into trip|~6h 29m 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
8
311.9 mi into trip|~6h 35m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rush, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Clyde
42.9 mi in|~56m
Mt Pocono
193.2 mi in|~4h 12m|via US 6
Milford
193.9 mi in|~4h 13m|via I 84; I 380
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Rush-Mendon Road
7.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rush, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on this road
102 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 251
3.7 mi·6 min·Rush-Mendon Road
3
Enter roundabout onto NY 251
110 ft·2 sec·Rush-Mendon Road
4
Continue on NY 251
1.0 mi·1 min·Rush-Mendon Road
5
Continue on NY 251
2.9 mi·5 min·Rush-Mendon Road
6
Continue on NY 251
2.5 mi·4 min·Victor-Mendon Road
7
Turn left onto Phillips Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Phillips Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto CR 42
0.4 mi·45 sec·County Road 42
9
Turn left onto NY 96
0.5 mi·44 sec·Victor-Pittsford Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 90: New York State Thruway
11
Merge onto I 490
0.3 mi·23 sec·Eastern Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
13
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
16
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
17
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
19
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
21
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
22
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
23
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
24
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
25
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
26
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
27
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
28
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
29
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
30
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
31
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
33
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
38
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
39
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
45
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
47
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
48
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
50
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
52
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
53
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
56
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
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 TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
60
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
61
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
62
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
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 159.2 miles from Rush, NY, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 70 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.2 miles or 3h 32m 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 32m
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 Rush, 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 Rush, NY
This is one driving day of about 318.3 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Rush, 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 98.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.2 mi from Rush, NY
· 3h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 166.4 miles from Rush, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 332.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 332.8
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 332.8
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 45.9
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 332.8
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 57.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.39 one way
$104.79 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$56.65
$113.31
premium
$4.92
$61.69
$123.39
diesel
$5.61
$70.28
$140.55
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$52
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Efficient EV
79.6
0
$27.85
$12.73
EV Truck/SUV
127.3
1
$44.56
$20.37
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Rush, NY
Morning
in Rush on Friday
Local time
7:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning
in Manhattan on Friday
Local time
7:24 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
5 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
6h 48m 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 Rush, NY to Manhattan, NY covers 318.3 miles and takes about 6h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, New York State Thruway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 159.2 miles from Rush, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.39 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 44 significant decision points across 318.3 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: at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Rush, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
