This 357.5-mile journey from Carlton, NY to East Flatbush, NY will take approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and the New York State Thruway, this route is best tackled in a single day, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $59. With two recommended stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. The overall feel is a mix of efficient highway travel and more involved local roads, making it a practical option for getting between these two New York locations.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.7 miles from Carlton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
Ridge Road
16.2 mi
23m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlton, NY and East Flatbush, NY.
1
Start on NY 98
2.8 mi·5 min·Oak Orchard Road
2
Turn left onto NY 104
16 mi·23 min·Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
4
Turn left onto NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
7
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
12
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
13
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
15
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
17
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
18
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
19
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
20
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
21
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
22
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
26
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
27
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
31
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.
32
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.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
35
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
37
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
39
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
43
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
44
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
45
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
46
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
48
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
49
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
50
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
51
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
52
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
53
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
54
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
55
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Continue on NY 27
1.4 mi·3 min·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
57
Arrive at destination
NY 27
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 50 minute duration, starting early from Carlton is advisable to reach East Flatbush with daylight to spare. Plan for your two stops strategically to manage the 357.5 miles; perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.8-mile stretch on I-81 where services might be less frequent. The 'turn-heavy' nature suggests being prepared for varying speed limits and more complex intersections 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.7 miles from Carlton, NY, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 79 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.7 miles or 3h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Flatbush, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carlton, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carlton, NY
This is one driving day of about 357.5 miles and 7h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Carlton, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 40
5 decision points cluster between mile 82.4 and 350 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
82.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
7
179.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
232.7 mi into trip|~5h 3m 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
344.9 mi into trip|~7h 23m 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
8
350 mi into trip|~7h 35m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.85 one way
$117.69 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$63.63
$127.26
premium
$4.92
$69.29
$138.58
diesel
$5.61
$78.93
$157.86
Estimated Tolls: $17.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$59
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.3
1
$37.54
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.28
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.05
$22.88
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 16, 2026
Origin
Carlton, NY
Night
in Carlton on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Flatbush, NY
Night
in East Flatbush on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
12 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
7h 50m 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...
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...
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 345.2
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 345.2
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 345.2
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 345.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this trip, with 54% of the route on highways. While there's a substantial 98.8-mile stretch on I-81 where you can make good time, the overall character involves more frequent changes in road type and direction. This means you'll experience a dynamic drive that shifts from open highway cruising to navigating more intricate local routes, keeping you engaged behind the wheel.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 82.4 miles in.
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 40 significant decision points across 357.5 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 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.7 miles (US 6): 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 Carlton, NY and East Flatbush, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 50m. Total distance: 357.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 50m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.64 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.
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 East Flatbush, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 82.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Flatbush, NY before the return drive.
