If you are planning to travel from Clay to New York City, prepare for a 259.9-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 21 minutes. Because the drive is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your budget should account for approximately $41 in fuel costs to cover the distance. The route relies primarily on I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to get you from the Northeast region of Upstate New York down to the city. While it is a highway-focused drive, the efficiency of the interstates makes it a practical choice for those who prefer a direct path over wandering local roads.
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
129.9 miles from Clay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
138.4 mi
2h 45m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
State Route 31
2.2 mi
2m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 138.4 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clay, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 31
2.2 mi·2 min·State Route 31
2
Continue on NY 31
0.8 mi·58 sec·West Seymour Street
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 81 South
4
Merge onto I 81
1.5 mi·1 min·I 81
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I-81
0.5 mi·33 sec·I-81
6
Continue on I 81
11 mi·14 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
8
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
10
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.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
14
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
16
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
18
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
23
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
24
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
25
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
27
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
29
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To keep your travel smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 5-hour and 21-minute duration. Since this is a highway-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the densest pockets of traffic as you approach your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest 138.4-mile stretch on I-81, as that is where you will consume the bulk of your $41 fuel budget. Because this drive is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for city arrival. Always check local traffic reports before you leave Clay, as the final approach into New York City can be unpredictable regardless of the highway efficiency.
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 129.9 miles from Clay, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.4 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 57 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 14m
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 Clay, 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 Clay, NY
This is one driving day of about 259.9 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Clay, 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 138.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 89.6 and 255.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 46m 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
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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...
6
147.4 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
255 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
255.2 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
$42.78 one way
$85.56 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$46.26
$92.52
premium
$4.92
$50.37
$100.75
diesel
$5.61
$57.38
$114.77
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
$43
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78
0
$27.29
$12.48
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.74
$10.40
EV Truck/SUV
104
1
$36.39
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Clay, NY
Morning
in Clay on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
8:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Cloudy then Patchy Fog
SE 10 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 1:15PM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
8 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
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 259.9
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 259.9
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 259.9
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 259.9
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 259.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its heavy reliance on major interstates, with a 72% highway share that keeps you moving quickly. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-81, covering 138.4 miles before transitioning onto other segments of the route. Expect a consistent, fast-paced interstate grind rather than the technical turns of secondary roads. As you navigate through the Northeast corridor, the road maintains a professional, high-speed personality designed for efficiency. Staying alert is key, as the majority of your time will be spent maintaining highway speeds across these primary transit arteries.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.4 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.6 miles in near I 81.
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 21 significant decision points across 259.9 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 89.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,852 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,627 ft
Total Descent
2,989 ft
Highest Point
1,852 ft
~167.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,817 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clay, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
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 route is absolutely doable as a same-day drive, clocking in at just 5 hours and 21 minutes, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your weekend.
Family Friendly
With a complexity of 10/10, this route could be challenging for families navigating with kids; plan for entertainment during the 5h 21m drive, especially since there are no EV chargers if you're going electric.
Solo Traveler
This 259.9-mile drive is a comfortable distance for a solo traveler, though the 10/10 complexity might require your full attention, leaving less time for an engaging drive.
First-Time Driver
This 259.9-mile journey is mostly highway driving, which is good for first-time drivers, but the 10/10 complexity means you'll need to be extra focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.4 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 89.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
