Origin
Wellsville, NY
Evening in Wellsville on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
6h 28m
Distance
303.7 mi
489 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
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.
Wellsville, NY
Beth Fitzpatrick
New York City, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Traveling from Wellsville to New York City covers 303.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 28 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably tackle the distance in a single day, though you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $48, it is a straightforward trip that moves you from the rural landscape of Western New York toward the dense urban environment of the state's southeastern coast. Utilizing the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81, the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a weekend getaway, the drive remains manageable for a solo driver as long as you account for the duration of 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
151.9 miles from Wellsville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed experience, as 72% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 80.1 miles. The road’s personality is defined by these long, consistent segments that allow you to maintain a steady pace across the Northeast. As you transition between the Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I-81, the character of the drive remains consistently focused on interstate travel. It is a utilitarian trek that prioritizes speed and directness over the technical challenges or winding paths of local secondary roads.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,529 ft
Total Descent
4,009 ft
Highest Point
1,996 ft
~12.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,962 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 303.7 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 52 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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 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 Wellsville, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Binghamton
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 80.1 mi | 1h 34m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| State Highway 417 | 35 mi | 52m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Andover Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wellsville, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on North Main Street
Turn right onto West Madison Street
Turn left onto NY 19; NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
At end of road, turn left onto NY 36; NY 417
Turn right onto NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Continue on NY 417
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 99; US 15
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
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 ensure a smooth arrival in New York City, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion as you approach the metropolitan area. You should budget for at least one significant stop during your 6 hour and 28 minute journey to manage fatigue and refuel. Since the route is heavily reliant on major interstates, keep an eye on real-time traffic updates for I-81 and the Southern Tier Expressway, as these roads are your primary corridors. Given the $48 fuel estimate, topping off your tank before you leave Wellsville can help you avoid higher prices closer to your destination. Since this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility, so stay prepared to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays on the highway.
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.
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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.9 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, NY
This is one driving day of about 303.7 miles and 6h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.9 mi from Wellsville, NY · 3h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 151.9 miles from Wellsville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.1 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
$49.44 one way
$98.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.48 | $53.58 | $107.16 |
| premium | $4.88 | $58.38 | $116.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $67.47 | $134.94 |
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
$49
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.1 | 1 | $31.89 | $14.58 |
| Efficient EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.57 | $12.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.5 | 1 | $42.52 | $19.44 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Wellsville on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in New York City on Sunday
Local time
7:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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