Bushwick, NY to Union, NY is 240.2 miles and takes about 5h 17m via NY 17, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Northeast region, traveling entirely within New York. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
120.1 miles from Bushwick, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
119.5 mi
2h 27m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
42m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
County Road 16
11.8 mi
16m
State Route 80
8.8 mi
12m
West Street
8.3 mi
9m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
County Road 44
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Union, NY.
1
Start on Linden Street
0.7 mi·2 min·Linden Street
2
Turn left onto Cypress Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Cypress Avenue
3
Turn right onto Flushing Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Flushing Avenue
4
Turn straight onto Grand Avenue
0.3 mi·41 sec·Grand Avenue
5
Turn left onto 69th Street
1.0 mi·2 min·69th Street
6
Turn left onto Queens Boulevard
285 ft·9 sec·Queens Boulevard
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 278 East: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
8
Merge onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
1.1 mi·2 min·Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, BronxUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto GCP; I 278
0.7 mi·1 min·Grand Central Parkway
11
Continue on I 278
1.6 mi·2 min·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 46Toward Manhattan, Randalls IslandUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
14
Continue on Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
0.4 mi·41 sec·Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
15
Keep slight right at fork
127 ft·3 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward Harlem River Drive NorthUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto HRD
2.3 mi·3 min·Harlem River Drive
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 24Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue, West 179 StreetUse the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 South: George Washington BridgeUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 95; US 1
0.4 mi·42 sec·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
23
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
34
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
35
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
36
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi·16 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
37
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton
42
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·State Highway 10
43
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
44
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
45
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
46
Continue on NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
47
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·West Street
48
Turn right onto NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
49
Continue on NY 12
1.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 12
50
Turn left onto CR 44
2.8 mi·3 min·County Road 44
51
At end of road, turn right onto NY 23
1.2 mi·1 min·NY 23
52
Turn right onto CR 16
12 mi·16 min·County Road 16
53
At end of road, turn right onto NY 26
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
54
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 80
55
Continue on NY 80
6.1 mi·8 min·State Route 80
56
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 13
57
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.1 mi·1 min·McKinley Street
58
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
59
Turn right onto NY 13
0.2 mi·20 sec·State Route 13
60
Continue on NY 13
1.4 mi·1 min·Rippleton Road
61
Turn left onto CR 46
0.7 mi·1 min·Delphi Road
62
Turn left onto Kiley Road
73 ft·3 sec·Kiley Road
63
Arrive at destination
Kiley Road
Trip Plan
Since this trip is under six hours, you can comfortably complete it in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Union without feeling rushed. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the estimated $43 budget in mind. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and stay alert, especially during the 119.5-mile segment on NY 17.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.1 miles from Bushwick, NY, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 53 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 240.2 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 NY 17 for about 119.5 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 15.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.4 mi into trip|~12m in|I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan, Bronx
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 278 East: Triborough Bridge, Manhattan...
8
8.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
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 46
Toward Manhattan, Randalls Island
8
9.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street, 2nd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Harlem River Drive North, 125th Street,...
9
13.3 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washington Bridge (Upper Level)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, US 1 South: George Washingto...
9
15.9 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.86 one way
$77.72 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$42.17
$84.33
premium
$4.85
$45.85
$91.69
diesel
$4.80
$45.35
$90.71
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$39
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Bushwick, NY
Evening
in Bushwick on Sunday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 7 to 13 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Union, NY
Evening
in Union on Sunday
Local time
7:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 9 to 13 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 8.3
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
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...
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...
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...
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 is predominantly highway cruising, with 82% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a 119.5-mile stretch on NY 17, offering extended periods of consistent travel. Expect a high number of exits as you navigate the highway sections. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination in Union.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.
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 39 significant decision points across 240.2 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 5.4 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,622 ft35 ft
Total Climb
2,417 ft
Total Descent
1,192 ft
Highest Point
1,622 ft
~171.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,587 ft
Notable High Points
1,622 ft at ~171.5 miles+569 ft prominence
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 Union, NY, road signs point toward Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark, Mahwah and New York State Thruway North: Albany - among others.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.5 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 George Washington 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 8 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 Union, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles (I 278 / Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and African Burial Ground 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Union, NY before the return drive.
