Embark on a journey from Canandaigua, NY, to New York City, NY, covering 285.3 miles and an estimated 6 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated at $46. You'll primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, making your way through the Northeast region. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for a stop or two to break up the time. This trip offers a direct path between two points within the same region.
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
142.7 miles from Canandaigua, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
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 Canandaigua, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right
114 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right
350 ft·31 sec
4
Turn left onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Parrish Street
5
Turn left onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Middle Cheshire Road
6
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5; NY 21
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
9
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
10
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
11
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
12
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
13
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 96A
14
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 96A
15
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Street
16
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·13 sec·North Town Line Road
17
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
18
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
19
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
20
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
21
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
22
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
23
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
24
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
25
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
26
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
27
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
28
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
29
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
30
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
32
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
33
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
34
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
35
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
36
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
38
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
43
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
44
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
46
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
48
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
51
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
52
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
53
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
54
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
55
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
57
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
59
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
61
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Canandaigua to bypass potential traffic closer to New York City. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches like the 73.5 miles on I-81, and utilize service areas as needed. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests being extra vigilant for changing speed limits and road conditions, particularly as you approach your destination.
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 142.7 miles from Canandaigua, NY, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 63 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 3h 17m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Canandaigua, 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 Canandaigua, NY
This is one driving day of about 285.3 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Canandaigua, 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 73.5 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 62.4 and 280.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
115 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 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...
7
280.5 mi into trip|~6h 7m in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
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 NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
280.7 mi into trip|~6h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.15 one way
$92.31 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$50.08
$100.17
premium
$4.85
$54.45
$108.91
diesel
$4.80
$53.87
$107.74
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$46
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.6
1
$29.96
$13.69
Efficient EV
71.3
0
$24.96
$11.41
EV Truck/SUV
114.1
1
$39.94
$18.26
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Canandaigua, NY
Late night
in Canandaigua on Monday
Local time
4:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Areas Of Smoke then Partly Cloudy
SE 3 to 8 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Monday
Local time
4:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Smoke
S 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton 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
6 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 19m 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.
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 285.3
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 285.3
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 285.3
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 285.3
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 285.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive with a significant 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, despite 57% of the journey being on highways. While you'll experience a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on I-81, the overall character involves more frequent changes in road type and speed. This means you'll transition between faster interstate segments and more winding local roads, requiring your attention to be adaptable throughout the 285.3-mile trip. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience rather than a continuous interstate cruise.
Only 57% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 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 62.4 miles in near NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton 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 36 significant decision points across 285.3 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 62.4 miles (NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,783 ft34 ft
Total Climb
1,902 ft
Total Descent
2,663 ft
Highest Point
1,783 ft
~183.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,749 ft
Notable High Points
1,783 ft at ~183.4 miles+657 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Canandaigua, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
One of the oldest cities in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Canandaigua has a long history as a major crossroads. Its name derives from a Seneca word meaning "The Chosen Spot", and its position at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake certainly justifies the moniker. With a well-preserved historic downtown, a magnificent 19th-century mansion with gardens, a modern and very trendy wine and culinary center, and (of course) the always-excellent boating on the lake, Canandaigua today has just as much to offer a visitor as it did in its heyday... if not more.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 285.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m 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 73.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.14 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 28 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 New York City, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.4 miles (NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79 / South Fulton Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New York City, NY before the return drive.
