Amherst, NY to Staten Island, NY is 374.1 miles and takes about 8 hours via New York State Thruway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New York. While it's possible to complete in one day, the 8-hour drive suggests that breaking it up over two days might offer a more relaxed pace. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive that covers a significant distance across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.1 miles from Amherst, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.4 mi
1h 54m
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
NJ 24
9.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amherst, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on NY 263
0.4 mi·50 sec·Millersport Highway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 290 E
3
Merge onto I 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Youngmann Expressway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·57 sec
Exit 1-49Toward I 90 East: AlbanyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 90
99 mi·1 hr 54 min·New York State Thruway
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
8
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
9
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
11
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
13
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
14
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
15
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
16
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
17
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
18
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
19
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
20
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
21
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
22
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
23
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
25
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
30
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
31
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
34
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
35
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
36
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
38
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
39
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
40
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
41
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
44
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
46
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
47
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
48
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
49
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
50
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
51
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
52
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
53
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
54
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
55
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
56
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
57
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
60
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
61
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
62
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
63
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
64
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
65
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
66
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
67
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
68
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
69
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
70
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour estimated duration, splitting this 374.1-mile drive over two days is a good idea to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $68, and it's always wise to top off when you see a station, particularly before longer stretches. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point, or after completing the 99.4-mile segment on the New York State Thruway.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.1 miles from Amherst, NY, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 82 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.1 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 187.1 miles or 3h 58m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amherst, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Amherst, NY
Aim for roughly 187 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Staten Island, NY
Aim for roughly 187 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Amherst, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.4 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 47
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 359.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1-49
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
103.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
253.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|US 6
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
328.6 mi into trip|~6h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
359.3 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.52 one way
$121.04 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.67
$131.35
premium
$4.85
$71.40
$142.81
diesel
$4.80
$70.64
$141.27
Estimated Tolls: $20.97
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(99.4 mi)$4.97
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
$61
Tolls
$21
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.2
1
$39.28
$17.96
Efficient EV
93.5
1
$32.73
$14.96
EV Truck/SUV
149.6
1
$52.37
$23.94
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Amherst, NY
Afternoon
in Amherst on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Afternoon
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
1:37 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
187 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
8h on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 116.1
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 103.2
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 361.2
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 361.2
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 361.2
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 361.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 48% highway share, meaning you'll spend roughly half the trip on major interstates and the other half on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 99.4 miles on the New York State Thruway. You can expect to transition from faster-paced highway driving to more varied speeds and traffic patterns as you move onto surface roads. Be prepared for a mix of environments, from open cruising to areas with more local traffic.
Only 48% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
70 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 47 significant decision points across 374.1 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,907 ft72 ft
Total Climb
2,304 ft
Total Descent
2,828 ft
Highest Point
1,907 ft
~267.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,835 ft
Notable High Points
1,907 ft at ~267.2 miles+827 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Amherst, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport and New York City - among others.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.4 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 187 miles on day one.
Expect about $20.97 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 36 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Staten Island, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Statue Of Liberty National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Staten Island, NY before the return drive.
