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Trip from Calcium, NY to Washington Heights, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

314.7 mi

507 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 10m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

chemical element with symbol Ca and atomic number 20

Calcium, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Washington Heights, NY, NY

Washington Heights, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Calcium, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 314.7 miles and takes about 6h 22m via New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traveling entirely within New York State. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. With recommended for a single day, it's a manageable drive if you get an early start, making it a solid option for getting between these two points efficiently.

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

157.4 miles from Calcium, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
New York State Thruway 201.9 mi 3h 53m
State Highway 12 35.1 mi 46m
Bea Luck Road 19.8 mi 23m
NJ 17 14.1 mi 18m
Erwin Parkway 9.7 mi 11m
Van Allen Road 8.4 mi 9m
NJ 4 6.7 mi 9m
US 11 3.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Calcium, NY and Washington Heights, NY.

1

Start on County Road 138

0.3 mi · 1 min · County Road 138
2

Turn left onto US 11

3.4 mi · 3 min · US 11
3

Enter roundabout onto US 11

204 ft · 3 sec · Mill Street
4

Continue on US 11

1.4 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
5

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

314 ft · 7 sec · Public Square
6

Continue on NY 3; NY 12

1.7 mi · 3 min · State Street
7

Turn right onto NY 12

2.4 mi · 2 min · Gifford Street
8

Continue on NY 12

8.4 mi · 9 min · Van Allen Road
9

Continue on NY 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · State Highway 12
10

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Main Street
11

Continue on NY 12

0.6 mi · 38 sec · High Street
12

Continue on NY 12

0.3 mi · 22 sec · County Road 14
13

Continue on NY 12

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 12
14

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayan Street
15

Turn right onto NY 12; NY 26

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Street
16

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
17

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
18

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
19

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
20

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
22

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
23

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
27

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
28

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
30

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
31

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
33

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
34

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
35

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
37

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
39

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
40

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9
Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9

0.2 mi · 42 sec · US 9
Toward West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42

Turn left onto US 9

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
43

Arrive at destination

US 9

Trip Plan

To complete this 314.7-mile drive in a single day, aim for an early morning departure from Calcium, NY. The total drive time is around 6 hours and 22 minutes, plus time for any brief stops. You'll spend about $54 on fuel, so plan accordingly. The longest continuous stretch is 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, so consider a fuel and rest break before you leave the highway. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but breaking it up might be more comfortable if you prefer a more leisurely pace.

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 157.4 miles from Calcium, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 69 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 157.4 miles or 3h 14m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Calcium, 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 Calcium, NY

This is one driving day of about 314.7 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Calcium, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

157 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Whitesboro, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.4 miles from Calcium, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 171.2 and 314.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
171.2 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | New York State Thruway

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
289.3 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in | NY 17

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
290.7 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
314.2 mi into trip | ~6h 21m in | US 9

Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street

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 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
314.3 mi into trip | ~6h 21m in | US 9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward West 178th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.80 one way

$103.60 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $56.01 $112.03
premium $4.92 $60.99 $121.99
diesel $5.61 $69.48 $138.96

Estimated Tolls: $26.09

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09

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

$52

Tolls

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$103–$128

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.4 1 $33.04 $15.11
Efficient EV 78.7 0 $27.54 $12.59
EV Truck/SUV 125.9 1 $44.06 $20.14

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Calcium, NY

Late night in Calcium on Tuesday

Local time

5:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington Heights, NY

Late night in Washington Heights on Tuesday

Local time

5:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live 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

17 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

6h 22m 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.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 314.7
View on nps.gov
General Grant National Memorial

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 314.7
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 314.7
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 314.7
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 314.7
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 314.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route has a 23% highway share, meaning much of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest stretch on the New York State Thruway covers 201.9 miles. After leaving the Thruway, you'll transition to State Highway 12 and then Bea Luck Road, which will involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. You'll notice the change from open highway speeds to more variable speeds as you enter more developed or rural areas on the state roads.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 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 171.2 miles in near New York State Thruway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 314.7 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 171.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Calcium, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.

Genesee Street South

86.2 mi in | ~1h 51m

Boston

171.2 mi in | ~3h 30m | via New York State Thruway

About the Cities

Starting in Calcium, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Washington Heights, NY

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 314.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m 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 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $26.09 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.

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 Washington Heights, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 171.2 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 289.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Washington Heights, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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