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Trip from Staten Island, NY to New York City, NY

Drive Time

35m

Distance

18.3 mi

29 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min
4 AM
0h 33m ★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m

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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Downtown New York City, NY, NY

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Crossing from Staten Island to the heart of New York City is a straightforward 18.3-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes depending on traffic. You will navigate a corridor defined by the Staten Island Expressway, the Gowanus Expressway, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Given the short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a one-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Budgeting approximately $3 for fuel makes this an economical transit option within the Northeast region. While the drive is quick, you should prepare for the heavy volume of traffic common to these major arteries. It is a practical route for commuters or day-trippers looking to connect between these two specific points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

9.1 miles from Staten Island, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that relies heavily on major urban highways, which account for 60 percent of your travel time. You will encounter a blend of fast-paced expressway segments and the denser traffic patterns inherent to the New York City metropolitan area. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will navigate spans 5.5 miles while on the Gowanus Expressway. Because this is a high-traffic urban route, the personality of the road changes rapidly as you transition between the expressways. You should remain alert as you move through these interconnected transit corridors, as the mix of local and through-traffic keeps the pace dynamic.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gowanus Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

249 ft -5 ft

Total Climb

338 ft

Total Descent

376 ft

Highest Point

249 ft

~4.6 mi in

Elevation Range

254 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Clarke Avenue.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 18.3 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 0.5 miles (Clarke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Clarke Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
4.4 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the ramp toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Ve...
9
14.6 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, RFK Bridge, Hamilton Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 26 Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway,...
7
16.7 mi into trip | ~31m in

Take the exit toward Brooklyn Bridge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 28B Toward Brooklyn Bridge
7
18.1 mi into trip | ~35m in | Reade Street

Turn left onto Reade Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Staten Island, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Brooklyn and Upper Level.

Brooklyn

4.4 mi in | ~12m

Upper Level

7.1 mi in | ~16m | via I 278

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gowanus Expressway 5.5 mi 8m
Staten Island Expressway 3.3 mi 5m
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway 2.1 mi 3m
Manor Road 2 mi 4m
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge 1.3 mi 1m
Brooklyn Bridge 1.1 mi 2m
Richmond Road 0.7 mi 1m
Rockland Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Gowanus Expressway — 5.5 mi, about 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on Croft Court

147 ft · 13 sec · Croft Court
2

Turn left onto Corona Avenue

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Corona Avenue
3

Continue on Cotter Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · Cotter Avenue
4

At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue

284 ft · 13 sec · Clarke Avenue
5

Turn right onto Kensico Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Kensico Street
6

At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Richmond Road
7

Continue on Richmond Road

447 ft · 14 sec · Richmond Road
8

Continue on Rockland Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Rockland Avenue
9

Turn right onto Manor Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Manor Road
10

Turn right onto Schmidts Lane

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Schmidts Lane
11

Turn left onto Slosson Avenue

260 ft · 9 sec · Slosson Avenue
12

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 278 East: Staten Island Expressway, Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
13

Merge onto I 278

2.6 mi · 3 min · Staten Island Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 278

0.7 mi · 1 min · Staten Island Expressway
Toward Upper Level
15

Continue on I 278

1.3 mi · 1 min · Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
16

Continue on I 278

5.5 mi · 8 min · Gowanus Expressway
Use the none lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 278

2.1 mi · 3 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
Exit 26 Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, RFK Bridge, Hamilton Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 38 sec
Exit 28B Toward Brooklyn Bridge Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto Brooklyn Bridge

1.1 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn Bridge
Use the right lane.
20

Continue on Centre Street

0.1 mi · 38 sec · Centre Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn left onto Reade Street

0.1 mi · 41 sec · Reade Street
Use the left lane.
22

Turn left onto Broadway

139 ft · 5 sec · Broadway
23

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. However, because you are navigating major expressways, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you stay within your estimated duration. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the distance is quite manageable without a break. To keep your trip stress-free, monitor real-time traffic reports before you leave, as the Gowanus Expressway can experience sudden congestion. Use the brevity of this 18.3-mile trip to your advantage by keeping your vehicle fueled and ready before you head out.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.1 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.5 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 18.3 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 9.1 miles or 19m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 29m

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 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 18.3 miles and 35m.

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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Gowanus Expressway for about 5.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 9.1 mi from Staten Island, NY · 19m into the drive

Downtown Brooklyn, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn, NY

9 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

Brooklyn, NY to New York City, NY

7.9 mi · 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Brooklyn, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brooklyn, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 9.1 miles from Staten Island, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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.

African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

0 mi from route Free near mile 18.3
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 18.3
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 18.3
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 15.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~3 min detour Free near mile 18.3
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 15.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.89 one way

$5.78 round trip

$4.01/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.48 $3.23 $6.46
premium $4.86 $3.50 $7.00
diesel $4.69 $3.38 $6.76

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.4 kg one way.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Carteret Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Carteret, NJ

Tesla

20 DCFC

Best Buy - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, NY

Tesla

20 DCFC

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, NY

Tesla

20 DCFC

The Mills at Jersey Gardens - Tesla Supercharger

Elizabeth, NJ

Tesla

16 DCFC

Expressway Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Staten Island, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Raymour & Flanigan - Tesla Supercharger

Brooklyn, NY

Tesla

12 DCFC

Simon Mills at Jersey Gardens (Elizabeth NJ)

Elizabeth, NJ

Electrify America

10 DCFC

ShopRite Carteret - Wakefern #511

Carteret, NJ

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 6 ChargePoint Network: 6 eVgo Network: 3 Electrify America: 1 Blink Network: 1 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.5 0 $1.92 $0.88
Efficient EV 4.6 0 $1.60 $0.73
EV Truck/SUV 7.3 0 $2.56 $1.17

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 2 hours ago

Origin

Staten Island, NY

Night in Staten Island on Sunday

Local time

9:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Night in New York City on Sunday

Local time

9:52 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 14 mph 1% chance 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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

35m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 New York City, NY covers 18.3 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gowanus Expressway, Staten Island Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.1 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 $2.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 18.3 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 0.5 miles (Clarke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Staten Island, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Brooklyn and Upper Level.

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New York City, NY to Staten Island, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

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