Brooklyn to Youngstown is 411 miles and takes about 8 hours 43 minutes via New York State Thruway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $73 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, moving from the Northeast region towards another part of the Northeast. Given the 8+ hour estimated drive time and the recommendation of 2 days, planning for an overnight stop is a good idea. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination without extreme complexity.
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
205.5 miles from Brooklyn, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Youngstown, 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
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
31
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
36
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
37
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
38
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
41
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
42
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
43
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
44
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
45
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
46
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
47
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
48
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
49
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
50
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
51
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
52
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
53
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
54
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
55
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
56
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
57
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
58
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
59
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
60
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
61
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
62
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
63
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Continue on I 290
9.5 mi·12 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
65
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 North / Niagara Falls
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 190 North / Niagara Falls
Toward I 190 North: Niagara FallsUse the slight right lane.
66
Merge onto I 190
6.8 mi·8 min·Niagara Thruway
67
Continue on I 190
0.8 mi·1 min·North Grand Island Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Continue on I 190
462 ft·7 sec·Niagara Thruway
69
Continue on I 190
6.2 mi·7 min·Niagara Expressway
70
Take the exit
0.1 mi·35 sec
Exit 25AToward NY 265: LewistonUse the slight right lane.
71
Turn left onto NY 265
0.8 mi·1 min·Military Road
72
Turn right onto NY 104
0.4 mi·40 sec·Lewiston Road
73
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 104
0.7 mi·1 min·Lewiston Road
74
Turn slight left
0.2 mi·39 sec
75
Turn straight onto Niagara Scenic Parkway
5.0 mi·6 min·Niagara Scenic Parkway
76
Turn slight right
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward NY 93: Youngstown
77
Turn left onto NY 93
415 ft·8 sec·Lockport Road
78
Continue on NY 93
1.0 mi·1 min·Lockport Street
79
Turn left onto NY 18F
0.2 mi·23 sec·Main Street
80
Arrive at destination
NY 18F
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour 43 minute estimated drive time, it's best to plan for an overnight stop, as recommended for 2 days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and make your first day's drive manageable. You'll have 2 planned stops along the way, so use these to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially when you're on the longer highway stretches, as service areas can be spaced out. Breaking the drive at roughly the halfway point will make this trip much more relaxed.
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 205.5 miles from Brooklyn, NY, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 90 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.5 miles or 4h 17m 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 205.5 miles or 4h 17m
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 7h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Youngstown, 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.
+
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 Brooklyn, NY
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Youngstown, NY
Aim for roughly 206 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Brooklyn, 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 99.6 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 55
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 7.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.8 mi into trip|~4m in|Ocean Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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...
7
7.8 mi into trip|~17m in|Hudson Street
Turn left onto Hudson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.60 one way
$145.21 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$78.56
$157.12
premium
$5.28
$85.37
$170.74
diesel
$6.18
$99.98
$199.97
Estimated Tolls: $21.32
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
Niagara Thruway
(6.9 mi)$0.34
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
$73
Tolls
$21
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$224–$334
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.3
1
$43.16
$19.73
Efficient EV
102.8
1
$35.96
$16.44
EV Truck/SUV
164.4
2
$57.54
$26.30
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Brooklyn, NY
Morning
in Brooklyn on Saturday
Local time
11:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 9 to 16 mph71% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:18PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Youngstown, NY
Morning
in Youngstown on Saturday
Local time
11:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Chance Rain Showers
N 18 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 2:18PM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
38°F
Barton, NY
206 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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 43m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 14.2
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 drive involves 44% highway driving, primarily on the New York State Thruway and I 81. You'll experience a longest stretch of 99.6 miles on the New York State Thruway before transitioning to more surface roads. Expect to encounter many exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas and then transition to more open cruising.
Only 44% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
80 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 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 1.8 miles in near Ocean Parkway.
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 55 significant decision points across 411 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 1.8 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,892 ft49 ft
Total Climb
2,835 ft
Total Descent
2,588 ft
Highest Point
1,892 ft
~117.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,844 ft
Notable High Points
1,892 ft at ~117.4 miles+948 ft prominence
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 Youngstown, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
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
Youngstown is the northwesternmost community in the state of New York. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Niagara River, on the border with Canada, made it a prime site for fortifications, the last of which has stood just north of the village since 1726.
Top landmarks
•Fort Niagara Light — lighthouse in New York, United States
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 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 206 miles on day one.
Expect about $21.32 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Youngstown, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Youngstown, NY before the return drive.
