If you are looking to head from the Catskill foothills into the heart of the city, this 82.4-mile trip is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. You will primarily navigate via NY 17, the New York State Thruway, and NJ 17, making this a highly efficient route for commuters or weekend travelers. Given the manageable distance and duration, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the one-way trek. Since both your starting point in Wurtsboro and your destination in New York City are situated within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional atmosphere throughout the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.2 miles from Wurtsboro, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
30.8 mi
36m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
United States Highway 209
0.8 mi
1m
Conrail Viaduct
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 30.8 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wurtsboro, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Sullivan Street
444 ft·14 sec·Sullivan Street
2
Turn left onto US 209
0.5 mi·35 sec·Kingston Avenue
3
Continue on US 209
0.8 mi·1 min·United States Highway 209
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York CityUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto NY 17
30 mi·35 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
13
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
18
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
19
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
21
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
23
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though it is wise to account for heavy traffic patterns typical of the New York metropolitan area. You will not need to plan for formal stops, as the 1 hour and 46 minute duration is easy to tackle in one go. If you want to avoid the most congested periods on the Thruway and NJ 17, try to time your departure to skip morning or evening rush hours. Keep your $13 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Wurtsboro to avoid higher city gas prices upon arrival. Since you are spending the majority of your time on highways, keep a close watch on navigation apps to adjust for real-time delays along the 82.4-mile path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.2 miles from Wurtsboro, NY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.8 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.2 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Wurtsboro, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Wurtsboro, NY
This is one driving day of about 82.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Wurtsboro, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 30.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 78.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.5 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward NY 17 East: New York City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 17 East: New York City
8
31.5 mi into trip|~37m 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
9
46.8 mi into trip|~56m 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
8
48.2 mi into trip|~58m 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
8
78.1 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.56 one way
$27.13 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$14.67
$29.33
premium
$4.92
$15.97
$31.94
diesel
$5.61
$18.19
$36.39
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
$14
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.65
$3.96
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.21
$3.30
EV Truck/SUV
33
0
$11.54
$5.27
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Wurtsboro, NY
Afternoon
in Wurtsboro on Saturday
Local time
3:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Afternoon
in New York City on Saturday
Local time
3:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
18 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
1h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 82.4-mile trek is a highway-focused drive, with 72% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.8 miles on NY 17, which sets a steady, consistent pace for the first leg of your journey. Expect the road's personality to shift as you transition from the more open, regional highways of upstate New York into the denser, high-traffic corridors of the New York State Thruway and NJ 17. While it is not a technical or winding mountain pass, the high highway percentage means you should stay alert for fluctuating traffic patterns as you approach the city. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you from the rural outskirts to the urban center as quickly as possible.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.8 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.4 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
650 ft9 ft
Total Climb
452 ft
Total Descent
987 ft
Highest Point
650 ft
~29.4 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wurtsboro, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
This is an easy same-day round trip, clocking in at just 82.4 miles and 1 hour 46 minutes each way. You'll be back before you know it, with plenty of time to explore NYC.
Family Friendly
While the 1 hour 46 minute drive is short enough for kids, the 10/10 complexity rating for navigation might be a challenge with a car full of passengers. Stick to the plan and you should be fine.
Solo Traveler
This 82.4-mile drive is comfortable for a solo traveler, with 72% highway making for straightforward navigation. The 1 hour 46 minute duration is engaging without being exhausting.
First-Time Driver
This route is mostly highway driving at 72%, making it manageable for a first-time driver, and the 1 hour 46 minute duration is a good test. However, the 10/10 complexity score means you'll need to be extra alert, especially near NYC.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.8 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.68 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at New York City, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New York City, NY before heading back.
