Traveling from Chatham down to New York City covers 140.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this trip is relatively short, you can easily handle it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $22 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will transition from the rural Northeast landscape of Chatham into the dense urban environment of New York City by utilizing a combination of the New York State Thruway, NJ 17, and State Route 66. This route is efficient for those looking to reach the city quickly while navigating a mix of major arteries and local roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.2 miles from Chatham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
83.1 mi
1h 35m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
State Route 66
8.5 mi
13m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Union Turnpike
3.1 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
2.4 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Austerlitz Street
34 ft·1 sec·Austerlitz Street
2
Enter roundabout onto NY 66
111 ft·1 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on NY 66
0.1 mi·19 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on NY 66
1.0 mi·2 min·Hudson Avenue
5
Continue on NY 66
8.5 mi·13 min·State Route 66
6
Continue on NY 66
3.1 mi·5 min·Union Turnpike
7
Continue on Columbia Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Columbia Street
8
Turn left onto US 9; NY 23B
168 ft·4 sec·Green Street
9
Continue on US 9; NY 23B
0.6 mi·1 min·Columbia Street
10
Turn left onto NY 9G; NY 23B
0.8 mi·2 min·North 3rd Street
11
Continue on NY 9G; NY 23B
2.0 mi·2 min·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
12
Take the ramp
341 ft·6 sec
Toward NY 9G, NY 23 West
13
Merge onto NY 9G; NY 23
0.4 mi·33 sec·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Use the right lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto NY 23
10 ft·0 sec·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
15
Continue on NY 23
1.3 mi·2 min·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
16
Continue on NY 23
1.8 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
18
Turn right onto CR 23B
0.3 mi·44 sec·CR 23B
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
20
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
22
Merge onto I 87
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
25
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
27
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
31
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
32
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
33
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
35
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
37
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
39
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic entering the city. You should account for at least one stop during the journey to break up the 140.4-mile trip and keep your focus sharp. With a fuel budget of $22, it is wise to fill up before you get too close to the city, where gas prices may fluctuate. Because the route relies on a mix of major roads like the New York State Thruway and local routes, keep a close eye on your GPS to navigate the transition between the highway and local segments smoothly. Using that single planned stop as a mid-point reset will make the transition from the thruway to local roads much more comfortable.
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 70.2 miles from Chatham, NY, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 31 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.2 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
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 Chatham, 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 Chatham, NY
This is one driving day of about 140.4 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Chatham, 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 83.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 136.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.2 mi into trip|~30m in|NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Enter roundabout onto NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
9
104.8 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
106.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
6
136 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
136.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.11 one way
$46.22 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$24.99
$49.98
premium
$4.92
$27.21
$54.42
diesel
$5.61
$31.00
$62.00
Estimated Tolls: $20.38
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)$4.16
Union Turnpike
(3.1 mi)$0.22
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
$23
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
Efficient EV
35.1
0
$12.29
$5.62
EV Truck/SUV
56.2
0
$19.66
$8.99
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Chatham, NY
Afternoon
in Chatham on Tuesday
Local time
12:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Afternoon
in New York City on Tuesday
Local time
12:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
70 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
16 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
3h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 140.4
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 140.4
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 140.4
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 140.4
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 140.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 140.4-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with more technical segments. About 30% of your time will be spent on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch consisting of 83.1 miles on the New York State Thruway. As you transition off the main thruway and onto NJ 17 and State Route 66, the pace shifts from a steady interstate cruise to a more varied driving experience. You should be prepared for the change in road character as you leave the open stretches behind and navigate toward the denser traffic patterns near your destination.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
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 24 significant decision points across 140.4 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 17.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
571 ft-1 ft
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
1,491 ft
Highest Point
571 ft
~87.8 mi in
Elevation Range
571 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chatham, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Catskill, Nyst and Leeds.
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
This 140.4-mile drive is totally doable as a same-day round trip, clocking in at just over 3 hours each way. Just factor in that $23.11 for gas, and you're good to go.
Family Friendly
This 140.4-mile trip is short enough for kids, but the 10/10 complexity rating suggests it might be a stressful drive for families, especially with only one planned break.
Solo Traveler
With a comfortable 3h 5m drive time and a mixed highway/road profile, this route offers an engaging solo journey without feeling too long. The 10/10 complexity means you'll need to stay alert, which can be fun for a solo driver.
Scenic Drive
While this route has only 30% highway, the 'gently rolling terrain' might not offer the dramatic vistas you'd expect from a truly scenic drive. It's more of a practical route with some pleasant scenery than a destination in itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $20.38 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at New York City, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
