Cheektowaga, NY to Staten Island, NY is 371.5 miles and takes about 7h 59m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from New York into Pennsylvania and back. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a solid option for a single-day drive if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a straightforward transit with minimal detours, as the main roads are designed for steady travel.
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
185.8 miles from Cheektowaga, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 59m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 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 Cheektowaga, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on this road
49 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right
66 ft·9 sec
3
Take the ramp
425 ft·12 sec
4
Turn right onto NY 277
4.2 mi·8 min·Union Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
264 ft·6 sec
Toward NY 400
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward NY 400 South: East AuroraUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto NY 400
11 mi·12 min·Aurora Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
9
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
10
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
11
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
12
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
13
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
14
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
15
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
16
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
17
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
18
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
20
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
21
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
27
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
30
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
31
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
32
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
34
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
35
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
36
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
37
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
40
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
43
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
44
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
45
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
46
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
47
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
48
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
49
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
50
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
51
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
52
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
53
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
56
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
57
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
58
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
59
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
60
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
61
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
62
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
63
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
64
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
65
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
66
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
For this 7h 59m drive, leaving early in the morning from Cheektowaga is your best bet to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 371.5 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch without a significant exit opportunity is 104.5 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that section. Given the $60 fuel cost estimate, keeping an eye on your gas gauge is wise, especially in more rural parts of the Keystone Shortway. This is a feasible same-day trip, but starting early allows for a relaxed pace.
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 185.8 miles from Cheektowaga, NY, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 82 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.8 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 29m
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 Cheektowaga, 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 Cheektowaga, NY
This is one driving day of about 371.5 miles and 7h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Cheektowaga, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 42
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 356.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 400 South: East Aurora
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 400 South: East Aurora
9
250.8 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
326.1 mi into trip|~6h 48m 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
356.7 mi into trip|~7h 26m 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
8
356.9 mi into trip|~7h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.10 one way
$120.20 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.22
$130.43
premium
$4.85
$70.91
$141.81
diesel
$4.80
$70.15
$140.29
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals 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
$60
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.5
1
$39.01
$17.83
Efficient EV
92.9
1
$32.51
$14.86
EV Truck/SUV
148.6
1
$52.01
$23.78
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Cheektowaga, NY
Late night
in Cheektowaga on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Smoke
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
186 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
11 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 59m 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.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 358.7
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 358.7
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 358.7
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 358.7
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 358.7
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 371.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 70% of this 371.5-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous highway stretch is 104.5 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a significant amount of rural cruising interspersed with sections that have a higher density of exits as you approach populated areas. The profile is mostly highway, suggesting a consistent driving experience with fewer transitions to surface roads until the final approach.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 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 42 significant decision points across 371.5 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 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 326.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,807 ft72 ft
Total Climb
3,089 ft
Total Descent
3,668 ft
Highest Point
1,807 ft
~265.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,735 ft
Notable High Points
1,254 ft at ~26.5 miles+602 ft prominence
1,639 ft at ~79.6 miles+603 ft prominence
1,807 ft at ~265.4 miles+613 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cheektowaga, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
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 59m. Total distance: 371.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 250.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 326.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Governors Island 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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 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.
