Traveling from Clyde to New York City covers 275.1 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is under six hours, it is feasible to complete this trip in a single day, though you should prepare for a significant stretch behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380 to reach your destination. Expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel for the trek. This route is firmly rooted in the Northeast, moving you from the quieter landscape of upstate New York into the dense urban environment of NYC. It is a straightforward, highway-focused transit that prioritizes efficiency over local sightseeing.
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
137.6 miles from Clyde, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
State Route 414
7.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Clyde, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 414
0.2 mi·22 sec·Glasgow Street
2
Continue on NY 414
0.6 mi·51 sec·Mill Street
3
Continue on NY 414
7.9 mi·10 min·State Route 414
4
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
6
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
8
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
9
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
10
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
11
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
12
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
13
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
14
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
15
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
16
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
17
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
18
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
20
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
25
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
26
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
28
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
30
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
36
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
37
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
39
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
41
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
43
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To keep your travel smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the nearly six-hour journey. Leaving early in the day is highly recommended to avoid the worst of the congestion as you navigate toward the city. Since fuel will cost you roughly $43, consider filling your tank before you hit the main highway stretches to avoid premium stop-and-go pricing. Because the drive is a single-day commitment, keep your schedule flexible enough to account for potential traffic delays on the final approach to New York City. Pay close attention to your mileage on I-81; with nearly 100 miles of uninterrupted interstate, it is easy to lose track of time.
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 137.6 miles from Clyde, NY, or about 3h 2m 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 61 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.6 miles or 3h 2m 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 47m
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 Clyde, 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 Clyde, NY
This is one driving day of about 275.1 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Clyde, 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 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.5 and 270.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
104.8 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
158.2 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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...
7
270.3 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
270.5 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
$44.50 one way
$89.01 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$48.29
$96.59
premium
$4.85
$52.51
$105.01
diesel
$4.80
$51.94
$103.89
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
$45
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.89
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.51
$17.61
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 18, 2026
Origin
Clyde, NY
Morning
in Clyde on Monday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke then Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Monday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Smoke
S 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
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 58m 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 275.1
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 275.1
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 275.1
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 275.1
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 275.1
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 a heavy reliance on major interstates, with 62% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend a substantial amount of time maintaining cruising speeds, punctuated by a significant 98.8-mile stretch on I-81. As you transition through these corridors, the road maintains a consistent, high-speed personality that favors steady progress. While you will encounter a mix of infrastructure, the experience is largely a streamlined interstate grind. Be prepared for the shift from open highway travel to the more complex traffic patterns you will face as you approach the city.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 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
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 58.5 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 28 significant decision points across 275.1 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 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,933 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,441 ft
Total Descent
2,807 ft
Highest Point
1,933 ft
~176.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,899 ft
Notable High Points
1,933 ft at ~176.9 miles+1,073 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clyde, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
158.2 mi in|~3h 27m|via US 6
Milford
159 mi in|~3h 28m|via I 84; I 380
Newark
250.6 mi in|~5h 18m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 definitely doable as a same-day drive for a weekend trip, clocking in at under 6 hours and 275 miles.
Family Friendly
With a 10/10 complexity rating, this route might be challenging for families, so plan plenty of entertainment, especially since there are no EV chargers listed.
Solo Traveler
At just under 6 hours and 275 miles, this is a very manageable solo drive, though the 10/10 complexity means you'll need to stay sharp on navigation.
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 $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 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 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
