Le Coucou
Near the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm
+12122714252
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 39m
Distance
374.5 mi
603 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cold Spring, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
This 374.5-mile journey from Cold Spring, NY, to New York City, NY, is a substantial drive, estimated to take 7 hours and 39 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused trip, with 80% of the route utilizing major expressways like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. While doable in a single day, the considerable distance and duration mean you'll want an early start. Plan for a fuel cost around $62, and budget for two stops to break up the longest stretch of 201.2 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. This drive stays within the Northeast region, offering a consistent travel experience.
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
187.3 miles from Cold Spring, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 201.2 mi | 3h 54m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
| Newark-Jersey City Turnpike | 2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cold Spring, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on Old Route 280
Turn right
Turn left onto South Loop Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Bank Perimeter Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 280
Take the exit
Merge onto CR 508
Continue on NJ 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Given the 7-hour, 39-minute estimated duration, an early morning departure is highly recommended for this 374.5-mile trip to New York City. With only two planned stops, make sure at least one is substantial enough for a meal and stretch to combat the longest 201.2-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on these longer highway segments, and factor in the estimated $62 fuel cost. Arriving in New York City during off-peak traffic hours, if possible, will significantly improve your final approach.
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.
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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.3 miles or 3h 44m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cold Spring, 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 Cold Spring, NY
This is one driving day of about 374.5 miles and 7h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 187.3 miles from Cold Spring, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
New York, New York
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm
+12122714252
Coppola Cafe
New York, New York
Veselka
New York, New York
Top Coffee Stop
New York, New York
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+15858883232
Le Cafe Coffee
New York, New York
Aleef Cafe
New York, New York
Near the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 11:30 am–2 pm
+12122714252
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19294309955
Near the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+12122289682
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19732993399
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Brooklyn, New York
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+19293596555
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+19733359690
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+19175402776
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 3–11 pm
+12123885040
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+15858883232
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12123651060
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
New York, New York
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12125642723
Near the end, short detour
Long Island City, New York
Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm
+17187070554
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Brooklyn, New York
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
+19293015535
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Long Island City, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19178326726
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Brooklyn, New York
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17184994404
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Long Island City, New York
Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm
+19178327021
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Friendship, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Waverly, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Sayre, Pennsylvania
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Jersey City, New Jersey
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Bath, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19142874200
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12122384367
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm
+13476961408
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
+12126272020
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Parsippany, New Jersey
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+19732637254
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
Hours: 6 am–12 pm
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Brooklyn, New York
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
New York, New York
+12126911303
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Brooklyn, New York
Hours: 6 am–1 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 204.2 and 369.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
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
Regular Gas
$61.65 one way
$123.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $66.66 | $133.32 |
| premium | $4.92 | $72.59 | $145.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.68 | $165.37 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
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
$62
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.4 | 1 | $39.32 | $17.98 |
| Efficient EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.77 | $14.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.8 | 1 | $52.43 | $23.97 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cold Spring on Sunday
Local time
11:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in New York City on Sunday
Local time
11:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 374.5-mile route, with 80% of it on major expressways. The Southern Tier Expressway will be your main companion for a significant portion, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 201.2 miles. While fast-paced, these highways generally offer a smooth and efficient way to cover ground between Cold Spring and New York City. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing steady progress over varied scenery.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 204.2 miles in near I 81.
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 23 significant decision points across 374.5 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 204.2 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 257.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cold Spring, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Newark
“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 39m. Total distance: 374.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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