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Trip from Camillus, NY to Manhattan, 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

5h 24m

Distance

265.6 mi

427 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 11m ★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m

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

town in New York, United States

Camillus, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Camillus to Manhattan covers 265.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in one day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate through the Northeast region using a combination of I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. While the drive is straightforward, it is best suited for travelers who prefer consistent interstate speeds over backroad exploration.

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

132.8 miles from Camillus, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 128.7 mi 2h 32m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Henry Hudson Parkway 4.2 mi 6m
I 690 4.1 mi 5m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
NY 5 3.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Camillus, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on Genesee Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Genesee Street
2

Turn right onto Newport Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Newport Road
Use the right lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward NY 5 East
4

Merge onto NY 5

3.1 mi · 3 min · NY 5
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward NY 695 North
6

Continue on NY 695

1.0 mi · 1 min · NY 695
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 690 East
8

Merge onto I 690

4.1 mi · 5 min · I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 81

2.8 mi · 4 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I-81

0.8 mi · 48 sec · I-81
12

Continue on I 81

73 mi · 1 hr 25 min · I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
17

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
18

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
24

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
26

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
27

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
29

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
31

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
32

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.
33

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown Use the straight lane.
35

Merge onto HH; NY 9A

4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Continue on West 79th Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Turn left onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Broadway
39

Turn right onto West 86th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 86th Street
40

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side Use the straight / left lanes.
41

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

Since the trip is manageable in a single day, aim for an early morning departure to avoid the worst of Manhattan’s arrival traffic. Plan for at least one stop during your 5-hour and 24-minute journey to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long stretches on I-81 can become tiring. Keep your fuel budget of $43 in mind, and consider filling your tank before entering more expensive metropolitan areas. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic patterns closely as you transition between I-81 and I-380, as these junctions can be busy depending on the time of day. Having this flexibility allows you to adjust your pace and ensure you arrive in the city feeling rested.

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 132.8 miles from Camillus, NY, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.8 miles or 2h 39m 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 20m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Camillus, 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 Camillus, NY

This is one driving day of about 265.6 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Camillus, 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 128.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

133 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

Maine, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.8 miles from Camillus, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

0.5 mi

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

0.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

2.7 mi

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Cafe Luxembourg

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive

New York, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–10:30 pm

+12128737411

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Pier i Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

New York, NY

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+12123624450

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

Amano Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15858883232

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Denville, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rockaway, New Jersey

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

EVoke Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Camillus, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18134925220

Visit website

Central Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Great Lawn

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Shakespeare Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Hayden Planetarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12128498400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 31

5 decision points cluster between mile 140.4 and 259.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
140.4 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
255 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
255.3 mi into trip | ~5h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
259.2 mi into trip | ~5h 11m 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
259.6 mi into trip | ~5h 12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown

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

Use the straight lane. Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.72 one way

$87.44 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $47.27 $94.55
premium $4.92 $51.48 $102.96
diesel $5.61 $58.64 $117.28

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

$44

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.7 0 $27.89 $12.75
Efficient EV 66.4 0 $23.24 $10.62
EV Truck/SUV 106.2 1 $37.18 $17.00

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Camillus, NY

Morning in Camillus on Tuesday

Local time

8:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Morning in Manhattan on Tuesday

Local time

8:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Partly Cloudy

W 2 to 6 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 11:13PM EDT until April 16 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

63°F

Ramapo, NY

133 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

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

5h 24m 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

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 265.6
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 265.6
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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 265.6
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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 265.6
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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 265.6
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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 265.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a trip dominated by highway travel, as 65% of your time will be spent on major interstates. The route feels like a standard long-haul interstate grind, designed primarily for efficiency rather than scenic detours. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-81, covering 128.7 miles of highway. The transition between these major arteries keeps the pace steady, though the character of the road remains utilitarian throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a consistent, high-speed flow.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140.4 miles in near US 6.

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 31 significant decision points across 265.6 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 140.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Camillus, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

140.4 mi in | ~2h 48m | via US 6

Milford

141.2 mi in | ~2h 49m | via I 84; I 380

About the Cities

Starting in Camillus, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1799

Top landmarks

  • Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct — canal in Camillus, New York, United States of America

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1624

Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.

Top landmarks

  • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA

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 5h 24m. Total distance: 265.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on I 81. 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.

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 Manhattan, 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 140.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.3 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 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, 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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