Origin
Waverly, NY
Afternoon in Waverly on Wednesday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
214.3 mi
345 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
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.
Waverly, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Waverly, NY, to New York City covers 214.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 28 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to manage the distance comfortably. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the journey. By sticking to major arteries like I-81 and the Southern Tier Expressway, you can navigate between these two Northeast locations with straightforward efficiency. It is a practical drive that gets you from the Southern Tier to the city without unnecessary detours, making it a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing speed and simplicity.
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
107.2 miles from Waverly, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
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Expect a trip defined by efficiency, with 66% of your time spent on highways. The route relies heavily on the Keystone Shortway, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 63.3 miles. Because this is an interstate-heavy drive, you will encounter a consistent, fast-paced rhythm that keeps you moving toward your destination. While the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81 provide a reliable path, be prepared for the transition from open regional corridors to the denser traffic patterns you will experience as you approach the city. It is a functional, streamlined drive designed to minimize time behind the wheel.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,742 ft
Total Descent
3,524 ft
Highest Point
1,942 ft
~116.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,932 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44 miles in near I 81.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 214.3 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 44 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.8 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waverly, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Southern Tier Expressway | 42.9 mi | 51m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on NY 17C
Turn left onto NY 34
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 86
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
Since the total drive time is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Consider hitting the road early to avoid potential congestion as you near the city limits. With only one recommended stop needed to stay refreshed, you can easily pace yourself without feeling rushed. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on high-speed roads, so stay alert during the 63.3-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway. Having your $34 fuel budget ready before you head out will ensure you aren't scrambling for a pump during the final leg of your trip.
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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 31m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, NY
This is one driving day of about 214.3 miles and 4h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 107.2 mi from Waverly, NY · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 107.2 miles from Waverly, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.28 one way
$70.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $38.14 | $76.29 |
| premium | $4.92 | $41.54 | $83.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.31 | $94.63 |
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
$35
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.29 |
| Efficient EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.7 | 1 | $30.00 | $13.72 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Waverly on Wednesday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in New York City on Wednesday
Local time
3:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
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
57°F
Ramapo, NY
107 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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