Origin
Staten Island, NY
Afternoon in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 31m
Distance
259.7 mi
418 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Amboy, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Staten Island to Amboy covers 259.7 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 31 minutes of pure drive time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $42 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will stay within the Northeast region for the entire trip, transitioning from the dense environment of New York City toward the more rural landscapes of upstate New York. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that is best suited for travelers looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
129.9 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
With 75% of the trip spent on highways, this drive is defined by consistent, high-speed travel across the Northeast. You will navigate via I-81, the Christopher Columbus Highway, and I-380, which provide a reliable path for the duration of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 129.5 miles on I-81, requiring steady focus behind the wheel. While the route is mostly a highway-focused grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience moving quickly. Expect a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over local scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 45 significant decision points across 259.7 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NY 695, NY 5: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Staten Island, NY and Amboy, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany and Albany.
Morristown
Whippany
Albany
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 129.5 mi | 2h 33m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 29 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| NJ 10 | 12.8 mi | 18m |
| NJ 24 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| I 690 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and Amboy, NY.
Start on Croft Court
Turn left onto Corona Avenue
Continue on Cotter Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
Turn right onto Kensico Street
At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road
Continue on Richmond Road
Continue on Rockland Avenue
Turn right onto Brielle Avenue
Turn left onto Bradley Avenue
Turn left onto North Gannon Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 278
Keep slight left at fork onto Staten Island Expressway
Continue on I 278
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto NJ 439
Turn right onto NJ 439
Turn right onto CR 623
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 27
Turn left onto CR 628
Turn right onto CR 509
Turn right onto Paine Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on NJ 24
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on NJ 10
Continue on US 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
Continue on I-81
Continue on I 81
Take the exit
Merge onto I 690
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on NY 695
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NY 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto Hinsdale Road
Turn left onto NY 173
Turn right onto Airport Road
Arrive at destination
Since the total duration is under six hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though leaving early helps avoid potential congestion leaving Staten Island. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long 129.5-mile stretch on I-81 can become repetitive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longer highway segments to ensure you stay within your $42 budget. Because this is a single-day trip, your best strategy is to maintain a steady pace rather than rushing, as the road conditions remain consistent throughout the 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.
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 80 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 miles or 2h 55m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Amboy, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Staten Island, 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 Staten Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 259.7 miles and 5h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.9 mi from Staten Island, NY · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 129.9 miles from Staten Island, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.5 miles.
The final approach into Amboy, 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 Amboy, 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.
Regular Gas
$42.28 one way
$84.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $45.82 | $91.63 |
| premium | $4.88 | $49.93 | $99.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.70 | $115.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$42
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.27 | $12.47 |
| Efficient EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.36 | $16.62 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Amboy on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
130 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
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.
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