Trip from Thompson, NY to New York City, NY

Drive Time

6h 6m

Distance

278.3 mi

448 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 54m ★

6 AM

6h 6m

8 AM

6h 32m

10 AM

6h 15m

12 PM

6h 13m

3 PM

6h 17m

5 PM

6h 31m

8 PM

5h 59m

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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Thompson, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

New York City, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Thompson to New York City covers 278.3 miles, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 6 minutes. Because the total duration is manageable, this route works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $44 on fuel to complete the trek across these Northeastern corridors. You will primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. While the drive is long enough to require some focus, it remains a practical transit route for those looking to move between these two points efficiently. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed throughout the trip.

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

139.2 miles from Thompson, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed driving profile, with roughly 60% of your time spent on major highways. You will experience a blend of faster interstate cruising and varied road conditions as you transition between regions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 98.8 miles on I-81, which provides a significant portion of your travel time. As you navigate the combination of the Keystone Shortway and I-380, you will notice the rhythm of the road shifts from open interstate segments to more localized transit. It is a functional drive that demands steady attention rather than technical maneuvering, allowing you to settle into a consistent pace for the majority of the 278.3-mile trip.

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 98.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,869 ft 34 ft

Total Climb

1,781 ft

Total Descent

2,273 ft

Highest Point

1,869 ft

~174 mi in

Elevation Range

1,835 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 4.4 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 35 significant decision points across 278.3 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 35 key points

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

4.4 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit

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

Use the right lane.

11.1 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

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 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde

108 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton

161.4 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | US 6

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...

273.7 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel

Towns Along This Route

Between Thompson, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Mt Pocono

161.4 mi in | ~3h 34m | via US 6

Milford

162.2 mi in | ~3h 35m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

253.8 mi in | ~5h 26m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	98.8 mi	1h 57m
Keystone Shortway	63.3 mi	1h 19m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
Essex Freeway	15.8 mi	20m
East Lake Road	9.9 mi	14m
State Highway 41	9.8 mi	13m
Clark Street Road	9.6 mi	11m
New York State Thruway	6.3 mi	7m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Townline Road

0.9 mi · 3 min · Townline Road

Turn right onto Avery Road

0.7 mi · 3 min · Avery Road

Turn left onto NY 14

2.8 mi · 3 min · NY 14

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 90 East: Albany

Merge onto I 90

6.3 mi · 7 min · New York State Thruway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Exit 41 Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

327 ft · 7 sec

Continue on NY 414

0.3 mi · 35 sec · State Route 414

Turn left onto NY 318

4.1 mi · 7 min · NY 318

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5

1.9 mi · 2 min · Auburn Road

Continue on US 20; NY 5

9.6 mi · 11 min · Clark Street Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto State Street

226 ft · 12 sec · State Street

Turn left onto Dill Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Dill Street

Continue on Loop Road

458 ft · 16 sec · Loop Road

Turn left onto Genesee Street

5.5 mi · 9 min · Genesee Street

Continue on US 20

2.2 mi · 4 min · West Genesee Street Road

Turn right onto NY 41

0.5 mi · 45 sec · East Lake Street

Continue on NY 41

9.4 mi · 13 min · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

4.8 mi · 7 min · State Route 41

Continue on NY 41

0.5 mi · 49 sec · East Lake Road

Continue on NY 41

9.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 41

Turn right onto NY 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · North West Street

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 81 South: Binghamton

Merge onto I 81

45 mi · 54 min · I 81

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6

Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380

Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec

Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel

Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec

Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street

Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 6-hour and 6-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion near your destination. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, especially after completing the 98.8-mile stretch on I-81. Keep your budget of $44 for gas in mind as you plan your stops, and consider filling up before hitting the more congested urban areas. Because this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for city arrival. Stay observant of changing highway signage as you transition between I-81 and the Keystone Shortway to ensure you remain on the most efficient path.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 139.2 miles from Thompson, NY, or about 3h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.2 miles or 3h 8m 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 54m

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 Thompson, 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 Thompson, NY

This is one driving day of about 278.3 miles and 6h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thompson, 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 98.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 139.2 mi from Thompson, NY · 3h 8m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cortland, NY

139 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

Cortland, NY to New York City, NY

215 mi · 4h 29m

Pacing Suggestions

Cortland, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Cortland, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Thompson, 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 98.8 miles.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.31 one way

$90.61 round trip

$4.14/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.48	$49.10	$98.19
premium	$4.88	$53.50	$107.00
diesel	$5.64	$61.83	$123.66

Estimated Tolls: $16.46

Holland Tunnel $16.00

New York State Thruway (6.3 mi) $0.32

Newark-Jersey City Turnpike (2 mi) $0.14

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

$45

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$87–$112

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	83.5	1	$29.22	$13.36
Efficient EV	69.6	0	$24.35	$11.13
EV Truck/SUV	111.3	1	$38.96	$17.81

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Thompson, NY

Morning in Thompson on Monday

Local time

8:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Monday

Local time

8:57 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 12 mph 4% 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

6h 6m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Thompson, NY to New York City, NY covers 278.3 miles and takes about 6h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 81, Keystone Shortway, I 380. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 139.2 miles from Thompson, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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 Thompson, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 34 ft to 1,869 ft elevation with about 1,781 ft of total climbing.

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Trip from Thompson, NY to New York City, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

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 New York City, NY

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Thompson, NY

New York City, NY

Same local time

Very similar conditions

6h 6m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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