Drive Time
50m
Distance
34.4 mi
55 km
Route Type
Highway-focused drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Renan Tagliaferro
If you are looking to travel from Suffern to New York City, you are facing a quick 34.4-mile commute that typically takes about 50 minutes. This highway-focused route relies primarily on NJ 17, NJ 3, and Orange Avenue to bridge the gap between the two locations. Because the trip is so short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $5 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Navigating through the Northeast, this drive serves as a direct link between the suburbs and the city. It is a straightforward trip designed for efficiency rather than leisure.
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
17.2 miles from Suffern, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Expect a trip defined by its highway-heavy nature, with roughly 69% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 19.5 miles along NJ 17, giving you a significant period of steady driving. As you transition from Orange Avenue onto the larger highway arteries, the pace of the trip shifts noticeably. You will encounter a mix of fast highway stretches that eventually lead you into the urban environment of your destination. Keep in mind that this is a functional, highway-focused drive meant to move you from point A to point B as directly as possible.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NJ 17 | 19.5 mi | 24m |
| NJ 3 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Orange Avenue | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Conrail Viaduct | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 12th Street Viaduct | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Suffern, NY and New York City, NY.
Since this is a short 50-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding when you decide to hit the road. There are no mandatory stops required for this 34.4-mile span, allowing you to drive straight through if traffic conditions permit. Be mindful that because the majority of the route is on highways, checking real-time traffic reports before you depart from Suffern is a smart move to avoid potential congestion. Given the $5 fuel estimate, you will likely find it most convenient to fill your tank before leaving to ensure you reach the city without needing to pause for gas. Use this efficiency to your advantage by planning your arrival time around the specific events or appointments you have in New York City.
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.
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 34.4 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.2 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Suffern, 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 Suffern, NY
This is one driving day of about 34.4 miles and 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.2 mi from Suffern, NY · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.2 miles from Suffern, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.43 one way
$10.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| premium | $4.86 | $6.58 | $13.17 |
| diesel | $4.69 | $6.36 | $12.71 |
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
$5
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.61 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.01 | $1.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Suffern on Saturday
Local time
9:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in New York City on Saturday
Local time
9:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Yonkers, NY
17 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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