Brooklyn, NY to Potsdam, NY is 353.2 miles and takes about 7h 46m via NY 17 and the Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, transitioning from the urban edge of the Northeast to the more rural northern reaches. Expect a generally straightforward drive with a significant portion on major highways, making it a manageable one-day trip. Plan for two stops along the way to break up the nearly 8-hour drive.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
176.6 miles from Brooklyn, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
Adirondack Northway
71 mi
1h 22m
State Highway 56
31.4 mi
47m
State Highway 28N
30.3 mi
43m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
Adirondack Trail
19.3 mi
27m
State Route 3
14.8 mi
20m
I 787
9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,496 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,286
Quietest
1 AM
~113 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Brooklyn, NY and Potsdam, NY.
1
Start on Nostrand Avenue
432 ft·21 sec·Nostrand Avenue
2
Turn right onto Snyder Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Snyder Avenue
3
Turn right onto Rogers Avenue
0.3 mi·59 sec·Rogers Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·14 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·Caton Avenue
6
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi·51 sec·Saint Pauls Place
7
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Parkside Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft·5 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
9
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft·0 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
12
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
14
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
15
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
17
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
19
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
22
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
24
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
25
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
26
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
36
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
37
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
38
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
112 mi·2 hr 8 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
40
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
43
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
44
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
45
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 22 min·Adirondack Northway
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 26Toward US 9: Pottersville, Minerva
47
Turn left onto Valley Farm Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Valley Farm Road
48
At end of road, turn right onto US 9
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 9
49
Turn slight left onto CR 19
4.8 mi·7 min·Olmstedville Road
50
Continue on CR 29
1.2 mi·1 min·County Highway 29
51
Keep slight right at fork onto Donnelly Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Donnelly Road
52
Continue on CR 30
2.8 mi·4 min·A P Morse Highway
53
Turn straight onto NY 28N
30 mi·41 min·State Highway 28N
54
Continue on NY 28N
2.5 mi·3 min·Newcomb Road
55
Continue on NY 28N
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 28N
56
Turn right onto NY 30
0.4 mi·52 sec·Adirondack Trail
57
Turn slight left onto NY 30
0.3 mi·39 sec·Lake Street
58
Continue on NY 30
18 mi·25 min·Adirondack Trail
59
Continue on NY 30
0.5 mi·46 sec·Moody Road
60
Continue on NY 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Adirondack Trail
61
Continue on NY 30
1.9 mi·3 min·Wawbeek Avenue
62
Turn right onto NY 30
0.2 mi·33 sec·Park Street
63
Turn left onto NY 3
282 ft·13 sec·Mill Street
64
Turn right onto NY 3
0.1 mi·24 sec·Lake Street
65
Continue on NY 3
1.2 mi·2 min·Demars Boulevard
66
Continue on NY 3
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
67
Continue on NY 3
15 mi·20 min·State Route 3
68
Turn right onto NY 56
31 mi·47 min·State Highway 56
69
Continue on NY 56
1.0 mi·2 min·Pierrepont Avenue
70
Continue on Park Street
446 ft·16 sec·Park Street
71
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
283 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
72
Arrive at destination
NY 11B
Trip Plan
For this 7h 46m drive, leaving Brooklyn in the early morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid afternoon traffic. With two recommended stops, you can plan to stretch your legs about every 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 111.7-mile stretch on NY 17, as services can be less frequent in certain sections. The $65 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Given this can be completed in one day, you have flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your needs.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.6 miles from Brooklyn, NY, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 78 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.6 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Potsdam, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brooklyn, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brooklyn, NY
This is one driving day of about 353.2 miles and 7h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Brooklyn, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 111.7 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 42
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 41.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
4.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
7.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
18.4 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
41.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.14 one way
$114.28 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$62.00
$124.01
premium
$4.85
$67.41
$134.83
diesel
$4.80
$66.69
$133.38
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$57
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106
1
$37.09
$16.95
Efficient EV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
EV Truck/SUV
141.3
1
$49.45
$22.60
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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
Brooklyn, NY
Morning
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Smoke
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Potsdam, NY
Morning
in Potsdam on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
W 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
2 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
7h 46m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 12.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 353.2-mile drive is mostly highway, with 66% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17. The landscape shifts from more developed areas with frequent exits to more open cruising as you head north. Expect a significant amount of highway driving before transitioning to State Highway 56 for the final leg.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
72 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 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 42 significant decision points across 353.2 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 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,022 ft49 ft
Total Climb
2,350 ft
Total Descent
1,966 ft
Highest Point
2,022 ft
~252.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,973 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brooklyn, NY and Potsdam, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Minerva.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
41.8 mi in|~1h 3m|via NY 17
Troy
153.5 mi in|~3h 12m
Saratoga Springs
163.1 mi in|~3h 26m
Glens Falls
166.5 mi in|~3h 30m
Minerva
238.3 mi in|~4h 54m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 353.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Potsdam, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Stonewall National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Potsdam, NY before the return drive.
