Origin
Stafford, NY
Afternoon in Stafford on Thursday
Local time
12:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stafford, NY to New York City, NY
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 5m
Distance
342.2 mi
551 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 54m
★
6 AM
7h 5m
8 AM
7h 27m
10 AM
7h 13m
12 PM
7h 11m
3 PM
7h 14m
5 PM
7h 26m
8 PM
6h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stafford, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 342.2-mile drive from Stafford, NY, to New York City, NY, is designed to be completed in about 7 hours and 5 minutes, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with a 71% highway share, and includes segments on the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81. With an estimated fuel cost of $56 and a plan for 2 stops, you can expect a straightforward journey across New York State. This highway-focused profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, so consider an early start to maximize daylight.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
171.1 miles from Stafford, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 5m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, as indicated by the 71% highway share. You'll spend a significant amount of time on expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While this profile prioritizes speed and directness, the transition between these main roads will define the driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southern Tier Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.9 miles in near I 81.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 342.2 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 171.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
171.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
225.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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...
6
229.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
337.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 53m in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
337.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stafford, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
225.3 mi in
|
~4h 33m
|
via US 6
Milford
226 mi in
|
~4h 34m
|
via I 84; I 380
Newark
317.6 mi in
|
~6h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Genesee Expressway | 38.2 mi | 44m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Genesee Street | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| Lake Street | 5.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Southern Tier Expressway
— 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 5
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street Road
2
Continue on NY 5
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Road
3
Continue on NY 5
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
4
Turn right onto NY 19
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Clay Street
5
Continue on NY 19
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Wolcott Street
6
Continue on NY 19
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Warsaw Road
7
Continue on NY 19
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Lake Street
8
Turn left onto NY 63
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Big Tree Road
9
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
State Highway 63
10
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Genesee Street
11
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft
·
1 sec
·
Genesee Street
12
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Genesee Street
13
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
14
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
16
Merge onto I 390
38 mi
·
44 min
·
Genesee Expressway
17
Merge onto I 86
105 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Southern Tier Expressway
18
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.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
23
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
25
Continue on I 280
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17A
Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
27
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
31
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight lane.
32
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
33
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
34
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
36
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
38
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
40
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, an early morning departure from Stafford is recommended to navigate the 342.2 miles to New York City with ample daylight. Plan for two stops to break up the journey, especially considering the longest stretch of 104.5 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $56, be mindful of gas prices as you travel. Since this is a highway-centric route, staying alert for changing speed limits and potential traffic, particularly as you approach New York City, is crucial. Ensure your vehicle is serviced and ready for the distance.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Stafford, NY, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 75 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 29m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stafford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stafford, NY
This is one driving day of about 342.2 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Stafford, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.1 mi from Stafford, NY · 3h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.1 miles from Stafford, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
Arriving in New York City, NY
The final approach into New York City, 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 New York City, 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
$56.33 one way
$112.66 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $60.91 | $121.82 |
| premium | $4.92 | $66.32 | $132.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.55 | $151.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.14
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
$56
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.7 | 1 | $35.93 | $16.43 |
| Efficient EV | 85.6 | 0 | $29.94 | $13.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.9 | 1 | $47.91 | $21.90 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Afternoon in New York City on Thursday
Local time
12:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
SW 14 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 5:45PM EDT until April 14 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 2:52PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
40 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
7h 5m 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 Stafford, NY to New York City, NY covers 342.2 miles and takes about 7h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, I 81. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 171.1 miles from Stafford, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.33 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 25 significant decision points across 342.2 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 171.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Stafford, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
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