US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in New York

Routes

60

Avg Distance

447 mi

Avg Drive

9h 27m

Destinations

36

Not every route in New York is memorable, but these 60 are. Each scores at least 7/10 for drive quality, meaning real elevation changes, scenic stretches, and roads that feel like more than just pavement between two points.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.11/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$70–$79

One-way, ~447 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~156 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

Climate through the year: New York

New York peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 40°F / 28°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jul at ~4.6 in of rain.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in	Snow in
Jan	40	28	3.6	8.8
Feb	42	30	3.2	10.1
Mar	50	36	4.3	5
Apr	62	46	4.1	0.4
May	71	55	4	—
Jun	80	64	4.5	—
Jul	85	70	4.6	—
Aug	83	69	4.6	—
Sep	76	62	4.3	—
Oct	65	51	4.4	0.1
Nov	54	42	3.6	0.5
Dec	44	34	4.4	4.9

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for NY — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Current regular gas averages $4.11/gallon in New York (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $70 and $79. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Buffalo, NY → Montauk, NY

491.3 mi 10h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Springs, NY

481.5 mi 10h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Amagansett, NY

479.8 mi 10h 19m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Arkwright, NY → Brookhaven, NY

471.1 mi 9h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bridgehampton, NY → Buffalo, NY

469.9 mi 10h Score: 8/10 ~$76 fuel

Through: Cr 16 West: Yaphank → Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Southold, NY → Amherst, NY

464.7 mi 9h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Tuckahoe, NY

464.1 mi 9h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Southampton, NY

463 mi 9h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +7 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Tuckahoe, NY

461.7 mi 9h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$75 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ransomville, NY → Brookhaven, NY

459 mi 9h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Laurel, NY

457.2 mi 9h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Portland, NY

456.9 mi 9h 52m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Amherst, NY → Hampton Bays, NY

455.9 mi 9h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → East Quogue, NY

455.3 mi 9h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Jamesport, NY → Buffalo, NY

455.1 mi 9h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Sheridan, NY

452.8 mi 9h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Westhampton Beach, NY → Buffalo, NY

452.8 mi 9h 37m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Quogue, NY → Buffalo, NY

452.4 mi 9h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Riverside, NY

451.5 mi 9h 37m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Dayton, NY → Brookhaven, NY

451 mi 9h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Riverhead, NY

450.5 mi 9h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Westfield, NY

450 mi 9h 40m Score: 7/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

Baiting Hollow, NY → Buffalo, NY

449.8 mi 9h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$73 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Silver Creek, NY → Islip, NY

447.1 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Aurora → Mt Pocono → Milford +7 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lake Erie Beach, NY → Brookhaven, NY

446.1 mi 9h 33m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Oakfield, NY

445.5 mi 9h 25m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Calverton, NY → Buffalo, NY

445.4 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Grand Island, NY

444.8 mi 9h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Angola on the Lake, NY → Brookhaven, NY

444.4 mi 9h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Randolph, NY → Brookhaven, NY

444.2 mi 8h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Angola, NY → Brookhaven, NY

444.2 mi 9h 28m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Lewiston, NY

444 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Center Moriches, NY

442.8 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Newfane, NY

442.6 mi 9h 31m Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +6 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Mastic Beach, NY

441.8 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pendleton, NY → Brookhaven, NY

440.4 mi 9h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Moriches, NY → Buffalo, NY

440.3 mi 9h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → North Collins, NY

440 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fredonia, NY → Smithtown, NY

439.3 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: New York City → Leonia → Teaneck +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Perrysburg, NY

439.3 mi 9h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Ellington, NY

439.1 mi 8h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Portland, NY → Babylon, NY

438.6 mi 9h 23m Score: 7/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: New York City → Leonia → Teaneck +4 more

Ripley, NY → Babylon, NY

438.2 mi 9h 21m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: New York City → Leonia → Teaneck +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Mina, NY → Islip, NY

437.9 mi 9h 18m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: New York City → Leonia → Teaneck +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

East Otto, NY → Brookhaven, NY

437.4 mi 9h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brighton, NY → Brookhaven, NY

437.3 mi 9h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Arkwright, NY → Oyster Bay, NY

436.8 mi 8h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Buffalo, NY → Sound Beach, NY

436.7 mi 9h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Amherst, NY → Rocky Point, NY

436.6 mi 9h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bellport, NY → Buffalo, NY

435.4 mi 9h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miller Place, NY → Buffalo, NY

435.3 mi 9h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Youngstown, NY → Huntington, NY

435.3 mi 9h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Rochester → Clyde → Mt Pocono +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Little Valley, NY → Brookhaven, NY

434.9 mi 8h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Mt Pocono → Milford → New York City +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Yaphank, NY → Buffalo, NY

434.8 mi 9h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Islip, NY → Persia, NY

434 mi 8h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Cross Island Parkway North → Hempstead Avenue West → Grandstand +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Patchogue, NY → Tonawanda, NY

433.4 mi 9h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rapids, NY → Brookhaven, NY

432.8 mi 9h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Clyde → Mt Pocono → Milford +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Lackawanna, NY

432.7 mi 9h 6m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Brookhaven, NY → Collins, NY

432.6 mi 9h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +4 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

East Patchogue, NY → Buffalo, NY

432.1 mi 9h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$70 fuel

Through: Kennedy Airport → Cross Island Parkway North → Bronx +5 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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