Charlotte, NY to Staten Island, NY is 325.3 miles and takes about 7h 8m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, traversing New York state for its entirety. Given the recommended one-day duration, expect a fairly direct drive. The route is primarily composed of major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for a straightforward way to cover this distance efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel to reach your destination.
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
162.7 miles from Charlotte, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Eastern Expressway
10.8 mi
13m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 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 Charlotte, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on this road
72 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
125 ft·15 sec
3
Turn left onto Spanish Trail
0.2 mi·48 sec·Spanish Trail
4
Turn left onto Latta Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Latta Road
5
Turn right onto Lake Avenue
4.1 mi·6 min·Lake Avenue
6
Turn left onto NY 104
0.4 mi·29 sec·West Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on NY 104
0.2 mi·12 sec·Veterans Memorial Bridge
8
Continue on NY 104
3.4 mi·4 min·Keeler Street Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward NY 590 South: Downtown Rochester
10
Merge onto NY 590
3.3 mi·4 min·Outer Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 5Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown RochesterUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 490 East: VictorUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 490
11 mi·13 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
15
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
18
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
19
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
21
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
23
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
24
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
25
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
26
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
27
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
28
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
29
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
30
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
31
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
32
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
33
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
35
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
37
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.
38
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.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
40
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
41
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
43
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
44
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
45
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
46
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
48
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
49
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
50
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
51
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
53
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
54
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
56
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
57
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
58
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
59
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
60
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
61
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
62
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
63
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
64
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
65
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
66
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
67
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
69
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
70
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
71
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
72
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
73
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
74
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
75
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
76
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
77
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
78
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
79
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
80
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Charlotte, NY. This will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic and allow ample time for your single planned stop. With a fuel cost estimated around $53, it's wise to fill up before leaving Charlotte or at a well-priced station along I 81, as highway gas prices can sometimes be higher. The route data suggests a mostly surface road profile after the main highways, so be prepared for varying speed limits and more local traffic as you get closer to Staten Island.
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 162.7 miles from Charlotte, NY, or about 3h 34m 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 72 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.7 miles or 3h 34m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, NY
This is one driving day of about 325.3 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Charlotte, 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 55
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.2 and 310.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.2 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown Rochester
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 5
Toward I 490 East, I 490 West: Victor, Downtown...
8
54.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m 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
9
204.6 mi into trip|~4h 24m 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
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
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 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
310.5 mi into trip|~6h 35m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.62 one way
$105.25 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$57.11
$114.21
premium
$4.85
$62.09
$124.18
diesel
$4.80
$61.42
$122.85
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$53
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.6
1
$34.16
$15.61
Efficient EV
81.3
0
$28.46
$13.01
EV Truck/SUV
130.1
1
$45.54
$20.82
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 17, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, NY
Morning
in Charlotte on Monday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny then Patchy Smoke
NE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Monday
Local time
10:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
163 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
4 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 8m 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...
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
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...
11 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
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 314.1
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 314.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 59% of this 325.3-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch on I 81, covering 98.8 miles before transitioning to surface roads. This means you'll have a significant portion of highway driving, likely featuring consistent speeds and fewer intersections, before a more local driving experience begins. Keep an eye out for denser traffic as you approach your destination in Staten Island.
Only 59% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
80 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 12.2 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 55 significant decision points across 325.3 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 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,817 ft72 ft
Total Climb
3,278 ft
Total Descent
3,481 ft
Highest Point
1,817 ft
~232.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,745 ft
Notable High Points
1,102 ft at ~278.9 miles+785 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlotte, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport and New York City - among others.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 325.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m 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 $17.50 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals 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 29 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 Staten Island, 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. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.6 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 Statue Of Liberty 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Staten Island, NY before the return drive.
