Trip from Staten Island, NY to Ithaca, NY

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

226.2 mi

364 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 41m ★

6 AM

4h 54m

8 AM

5h 21m

10 AM

5h 4m

12 PM

5h 1m

3 PM

5h 5m

5 PM

5h 20m

8 PM

4h 46m

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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Ithaca, NY

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Staten Island, NY to Ithaca, NY covers 226.2 miles and takes about 4h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 81, US 11, Christopher Columbus Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.8 miles on I 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.82 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

113.1 miles from Staten Island, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 4h 54m highway drive covering 226.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 81 and US 11. The longest continuous stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 81.

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

There are about 49 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 73.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and US 11. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 38 significant decision points across 226.2 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 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 38 key points

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

9 mi into trip | ~19m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3B; 3C Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth

9 mi into trip | ~19m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3B Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue

19.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 48 Toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown

29.5 mi into trip | ~49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 287 North: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 287 North: Mahwah

30.9 mi into trip | ~52m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 39 Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany

Towns Along This Route

Between Staten Island, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany, Albany and Lisle.

Morristown

19.8 mi in | ~38m

Whippany

30.9 mi in | ~52m

Albany

178.8 mi in | ~3h 53m | via I 81

Lisle

194.6 mi in | ~4h 12m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	73.8 mi	1h 28m
US 11	30.6 mi	40m
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

Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and Ithaca, NY.

Start on Croft Court

147 ft · 13 sec · Croft Court

Turn left onto Corona Avenue

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Corona Avenue

Continue on Cotter Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Cotter Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue

284 ft · 13 sec · Clarke Avenue

Turn right onto Kensico Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Kensico Street

At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Richmond Road

Continue on Richmond Road

447 ft · 14 sec · Richmond Road

Continue on Rockland Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · Rockland Avenue

Turn right onto Brielle Avenue

0.8 mi · 2 min · Brielle Avenue

Turn left onto Bradley Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bradley Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto North Gannon Avenue

364 ft · 8 sec · North Gannon Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 278 West: Staten Island Expressway, Goethals Bridge, Elizabeth

Merge onto I 278

2.1 mi · 3 min · Staten Island Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto Staten Island Expressway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Staten Island Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 278

1.4 mi · 2 min · Goethals Bridge

Take the exit

150 ft · 4 sec

Exit 3B; 3C Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 3B Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue

Turn left onto NJ 439

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Brunswick Avenue

Turn right onto NJ 439

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Bayway

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto CR 623

2.0 mi · 5 min · South Broad Street

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 27

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

Turn left onto CR 628

1.0 mi · 1 min · Hillside Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto CR 509

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Chestnut Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Paine Avenue

367 ft · 12 sec · Paine Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward I 78 West

Merge onto I 78

4.6 mi · 5 min · Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 48 Toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown

Continue on NJ 24

9.4 mi · 11 min · NJ 24

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 287 North: Mahwah Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 287

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 39 Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward NJ 10 West: Dover Use the slight left lane.

Continue on NJ 10

13 mi · 18 min · NJ 10

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 46

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 80 West

Merge onto I 80

29 mi · 34 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec

Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

14 mi · 16 min · I 81

Toward I 81 North: Syracuse

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 8 Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle

Turn right onto NY 26

0.5 mi · 43 sec · NY 26

At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 11; NY 26

Continue on US 11; NY 79

31 mi · 39 min · US 11; NY 79

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Seneca Way

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

NY 79

Trip Plan

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 113.1 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 2h 35m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 80 miles or 1h 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113.1 miles or 2h 35m 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 1m

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

Before You Leave

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 226.2 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Staten Island, 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 73.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 113.1 mi from Staten Island, NY · 2h 35m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

113 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ramapo, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.1 miles from Staten Island, 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 73.8 miles.

Arriving in Ithaca, NY

The final approach into Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, 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.

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...

9 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 7.8

View on nps.gov

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 7.8

View on nps.gov

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 7.8

View on nps.gov

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 7.8

View on nps.gov

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 7.8

View on nps.gov

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.82 one way

$73.65 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$39.91	$79.81
premium	$4.88	$43.49	$86.97
diesel	$5.64	$50.25	$100.51

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Goethals 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

$37

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.9	0	$23.75	$10.86
Efficient EV	56.6	0	$19.79	$9.05
EV Truck/SUV	90.5	1	$31.67	$14.48

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Staten Island, NY

Morning in Staten Island on Monday

Local time

8:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 8 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 13 at 12:55AM EDT until April 13 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Burlington VT

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 12:22AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Ithaca, NY

Morning in Ithaca on Monday

Local time

8:19 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

59°F

Ramapo, NY

113 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 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

4h 54m 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 Staten Island, NY to Ithaca, NY covers 226.2 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, US 11, Christopher Columbus Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 113.1 miles from Staten Island, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.82 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.

Between Staten Island, NY and Ithaca, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany, Albany and Lisle.

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Return Trip

Ithaca, NY to Staten Island, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

242.5 mi 4h 15m

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Trip from Staten Island, NY to Ithaca, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ithaca, NY

National Parks Near This Route

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

Gateway National Recreation Area

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Staten Island, NY

Ithaca, NY

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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