Trip from Union, NY to New York City, NY

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

236.8 mi

381 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 51m ★

6 AM

5h 5m

8 AM

5h 32m

10 AM

5h 14m

12 PM

5h 11m

3 PM

5h 15m

5 PM

5h 30m

8 PM

4h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Union, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Union to New York City covers 236.8 miles of Northeast terrain, typically requiring about 5 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. Because this journey can be completed in a single day, it serves as a straightforward trip rather than a multi-day excursion. You will primarily utilize NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17 to navigate between these two points. Budget approximately $37 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the Northeast region, you can expect consistent road conditions throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal if you prefer a focused, highway-heavy approach to reaching the city without the need for an overnight stop.

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

118.4 miles from Union, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your time spent on major routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm early on, facing a significant 106-mile stretch along NY 17 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The experience is defined by these fast-paced highway segments, which help keep your travel time efficient. As you transition between NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17, the road personality remains consistent and predictable. Expect a drive that prioritizes speed and directness, allowing you to move steadily through the Northeast corridor without the frequent interruptions of local surface streets.

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

There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 106 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,482 ft 34 ft

Total Climb

370 ft

Total Descent

1,818 ft

Highest Point

1,482 ft

~39.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,448 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 186 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 236.8 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 186 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.2 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

186 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City

186.7 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 Toll South: New York City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City

201.2 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | NY 17

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

202.6 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

232.5 mi into trip | ~4h 53m in

Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Union, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Nyst: Albany along the way.

Nyst: Albany

186 mi in | ~3h 55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
NY 17	106 mi	2h 12m
State Highway 8	36.8 mi	41m
NJ 17	22.7 mi	29m
New York State Thruway	13.7 mi	15m
County Road 16	11.8 mi	16m
State Route 80	8.8 mi	12m
Rexford Street	8.3 mi	9m
NJ 3	4.2 mi	4m

Longest stretch: NY 17 — 106 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Kiley Road

73 ft · 4 sec · Kiley Road

Turn right onto CR 46

0.7 mi · 1 min · Delphi Road

Turn right onto NY 13

1.4 mi · 1 min · Rippleton Road

Continue on NY 13

0.2 mi · 25 sec · State Route 13

Turn left onto NY 13; NY 80

0.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street

Continue on NY 13; NY 80

1.1 mi · 1 min · McKinley Street

Continue on NY 13; NY 80

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Route 13

Continue on NY 80

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Route 80

Continue on NY 26; NY 80

2.7 mi · 3 min · State Route 80

Continue on NY 26; NY 80

2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 26

Turn left onto CR 16

12 mi · 16 min · County Road 16

Turn left onto NY 23

1.2 mi · 1 min · NY 23

Turn left onto CR 44

2.8 mi · 3 min · County Road 44

Turn right onto NY 12

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Broad Street

Turn left onto NY 23

8.3 mi · 9 min · Rexford Street

Turn right onto NY 8

18 mi · 20 min · State Highway 8

Continue on NY 8

0.4 mi · 29 sec · Airport Road

Continue on NY 8

19 mi · 21 min · State Highway 8

Continue on NY 8; NY 10

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Oak Street

Continue on NY 8; NY 10

0.4 mi · 44 sec · State Highway 10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward NY 17 East

Merge onto NY 17

105 mi · 2 hr 11 min · NY 17

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec

Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 87 Toll South: New York City Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 87

14 mi · 15 min · New York State Thruway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17

Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

23 mi · 29 min · NJ 17

Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward NJ 3 East: New York

Merge onto NJ 3

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 3

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 1; US 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Tonnelle Avenue

Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the left 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 5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive. Since the route relies so heavily on major highways, keep a close eye on traffic reports, especially as you approach the New York City area where congestion is common. Aim to leave Union early in the day to avoid peak commuter hours and ensure you have plenty of time for your planned rest break. With a fuel budget of $37, filling up your tank before you hit the longest 106-mile stretch on NY 17 will help you maintain momentum. Use this flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions, as the relatively short duration makes it easy to adapt your schedule on the fly.

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 118.4 miles from Union, NY, or about 2h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.4 miles or 2h 31m 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 6m

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 Union, 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 Union, NY

This is one driving day of about 236.8 miles and 5h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union, 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 NY 17 for about 106 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 118.4 mi from Union, NY · 2h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poughkeepsie, NY

118 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

Poughkeepsie, NY to New York City, NY

85.6 mi · 1h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Cortland, NY

Fuel and coffee

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

Poughkeepsie, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.4 miles from Union, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106 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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.98 one way

$77.96 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$42.15	$84.30
premium	$4.92	$45.90	$91.79
diesel	$5.61	$52.28	$104.56

Estimated Tolls: $16.68

Holland Tunnel $16.00

New York State Thruway (13.7 mi) $0.68

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

$39

Tolls

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	71	0	$24.86	$11.37
Efficient EV	59.2	0	$20.72	$9.47
EV Truck/SUV	94.7	1	$33.15	$15.16

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 12 hours ago

Origin

Union, NY

Morning in Union on Wednesday

Local time

8:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Wednesday

Local time

8:12 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

SW 7 to 14 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 7:26PM EDT until April 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:25PM EDT until April 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

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

13 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

5h 4m 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 Union, NY to New York City, NY covers 236.8 miles and takes about 5h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are NY 17, State Highway 8, NJ 17. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 118.4 miles from Union, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.98 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.

On the drive from Union, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Nyst: Albany along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 34 ft to 1,482 ft elevation with about 370 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Union, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.

Explore maps for Union, NY or New York City, NY on MapSof.net.

Trip from Union, NY to New York City, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Union, NY

New York City, NY

Same local time

13 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 4m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From New York City, NY

More from Union, NY

More trips to New York City, NY