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Create accountDrive Time
5h 5m
Distance
246.4 mi
397 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Syracuse, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Syracuse to New York City covers 246.4 miles of Northeastern terrain, typically taking about 5 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $39 for fuel to reach your destination. By utilizing a combination of I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, you navigate a path that keeps you moving efficiently toward the city. This route is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a straightforward, highway-focused drive rather than wandering through backroads.
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
123.2 miles from Syracuse, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
This trip is defined by its high-speed interstate travel, with highways accounting for 71% of your total mileage. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-81, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 127.9 miles. As you transition between I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, the pace remains consistent and focused on efficiency. While you won't encounter technical local roads, you should prepare for the steady rhythm of a long-distance highway commute. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness as you move from Upstate New York toward the metropolitan area.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,646 ft
Total Descent
2,012 ft
Highest Point
1,916 ft
~140.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,881 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 92 / East Genesee Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 246.4 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: near the start (NY 92 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.5 miles (US 6): 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.
Turn left onto NY 92 / East Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Between Syracuse, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 127.9 mi | 2h 31m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Newark-Jersey City Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Syracuse, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on US 11
Turn left onto NY 92
Turn right onto Almond Street
Turn slight right
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 81
Continue on I-81
Continue on I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 280
Take the exit
Merge onto CR 508
Continue on NJ 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
To keep your 5-hour and 5-minute journey stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major interstates, check traffic reports before departing Syracuse to avoid potential bottlenecks as you near New York City. Because your fuel budget is approximately $39, filling up before you hit the final leg of the trip can save you from higher city gas prices. Flexibility is your greatest asset on this day trip; try to avoid peak commuter hours to ensure a smoother transition onto the city's approach. Keep a close eye on your mileage during that 127.9-mile stretch on I-81 to determine the most convenient location for your single scheduled break.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 26m 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 New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY
This is one driving day of about 246.4 miles and 5h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.2 mi from Syracuse, NY · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 123.2 miles from Syracuse, 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 127.9 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$40.11 one way
$80.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $43.47 | $86.94 |
| premium | $4.88 | $47.37 | $94.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.74 | $109.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
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
$40
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.87 | $11.83 |
| Efficient EV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.56 | $9.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.6 | 1 | $34.50 | $15.77 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Evening in Syracuse on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Rain Showers
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:40 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:56PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Along the Route
59°F
Ramapo, NY
123 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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