Bushwick, NY to Penfield, NY is 317.3 miles and takes about 6h 52m via I 81, Christopher Columbus Highway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. It's a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these locations. Plan for a day where you'll spend a significant portion of your time on the road, but with ample daylight to arrive comfortably.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
158.7 miles from Bushwick, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
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:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
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 Bushwick, NY and Penfield, NY.
1
Start on Linden Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·Linden Street
2
Turn left onto Wilson Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Wilson Avenue
3
Turn left onto Myrtle Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Myrtle Avenue
4
Turn right onto Bushwick Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Bushwick Avenue
5
Turn left onto Grand Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Grand Street
6
Continue on Borinquen Place
0.4 mi·1 min·Borinquen Place
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Williamsburg BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto Williamsburg Bridge
0.2 mi·21 sec·Williamsburg Bridge
9
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
10
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·Kenmare Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
222 ft·11 sec·Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Broome Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Broome Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on Watts Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Watts Street
15
Take the exit
383 ft·13 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
17
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
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
19
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
20
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
21
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto NJ 3
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
26
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
31
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
32
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
33
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
36
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
37
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
38
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
39
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
41
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
42
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
43
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
44
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
45
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
46
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
47
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
48
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
49
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
50
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
51
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
52
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
53
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
54
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
55
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
56
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
57
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
58
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
59
Continue on I 490
7.6 mi·8 min·Eastern Expressway
60
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 25Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East RochesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·4 sec
Toward NY 31F East: Fairport
62
Turn straight onto NY 31F
0.3 mi·43 sec·Fairport Road
63
Turn left onto NY 153
1.0 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
64
Turn right onto CR 15
0.6 mi·1 min·East Linden Avenue
Use the right lane.
65
At end of road, turn left onto CR 17
0.2 mi·20 sec·Whitney Road
66
Continue on CR 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Five Mile Line Road
67
Turn right onto NY 441
121 ft·2 sec·Penfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
68
Arrive at destination
NY 441
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 52m estimated drive time, leaving Bushwick in the morning allows you to reach Penfield with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with when and where you choose to break up the drive. The fuel cost is estimated at $57, so factor that into your budget. Since this trip is manageable in a single day, you have the advantage of not needing to plan an overnight stay, but be mindful of the 97.3-mile stretch on I 81 where services might be less frequent than on local roads.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.7 miles from Bushwick, NY, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 70 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.7 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penfield, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bushwick, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bushwick, NY
This is one driving day of about 317.3 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Bushwick, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 97.3 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 44
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 314.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.3 mi into trip|~14m in|Lafayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
5.8 mi into trip|~16m 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 slight right lane.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
7
9.2 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
7
275.4 mi into trip|~5h 58m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
314.5 mi into trip|~6h 44m in
Take the exit toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.33 one way
$102.66 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$55.70
$111.40
premium
$4.85
$60.56
$121.12
diesel
$4.80
$59.91
$119.82
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$51
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
EV Truck/SUV
126.9
1
$44.42
$20.31
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Bushwick, NY
Late night
in Bushwick on Monday
Local time
2:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Penfield, NY
Late night
in Penfield on Monday
Local time
2:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
159 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.
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
4 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
6h 52m 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.
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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 262.6
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...
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 273.6
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 10.9
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 10.9
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 10.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 317.3 miles, with 52% on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 97.3 miles on I 81, which is the longest continuous highway segment. The profile is mostly surface roads outside of the primary highway portions, so expect transitions between faster cruising and more local traffic conditions. Keep an eye out for frequent exits and entrances as you navigate the highway sections.
Only 52% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
68 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
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 5.3 miles in near Lafayette Street.
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 44 significant decision points across 317.3 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 5.3 miles (Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,870 ft35 ft
Total Climb
2,473 ft
Total Descent
2,086 ft
Highest Point
1,870 ft
~113.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,836 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bushwick, NY and Penfield, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 52m. Total distance: 317.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.52 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 37 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 Penfield, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Stonewall National Monument and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penfield, NY before the return drive.
