Traveling from Colton to New York City covers 336.6 miles and takes approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes of pure drive time. While you could technically complete this 336.6-mile trek in a single day, it is a significant push that demands your full attention. Budgeting around $53 for fuel is a smart starting point for your planning. Because you are heading from the northern reaches of the Northeast down to the state's southern hub, you will experience a transition from rural landscapes to the dense urban environment of New York City. This route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, making it a functional choice for those focused on reaching the city quickly.
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
168.3 miles from Colton, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
77 mi
1h 30m
State Highway 28N
30.3 mi
43m
State Highway 56
23.1 mi
34m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
Adirondack Trail
19.3 mi
27m
State Route 3
14.8 mi
20m
Olmstedville Road
4.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colton, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 56
23 mi·34 min·State Highway 56
2
At end of road, turn left onto NY 3
15 mi·20 min·State Route 3
3
Continue on NY 3
1.0 mi·2 min·Main Street
4
Continue on NY 3
1.2 mi·2 min·Demars Boulevard
5
Continue on NY 3
0.1 mi·30 sec·Lake Street
6
Turn left onto NY 3
282 ft·12 sec·Mill Street
7
Turn right onto NY 30
0.2 mi·33 sec·East Park Street
8
Turn left onto NY 30
1.9 mi·3 min·Wawbeek Avenue
9
Continue on NY 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Adirondack Trail
10
Continue on NY 30
0.5 mi·46 sec·Moody Road
11
Continue on NY 30
18 mi·25 min·Adirondack Trail
12
Continue on NY 30
0.3 mi·42 sec·Lake Street
13
Continue on NY 30
0.4 mi·58 sec·Adirondack Trail
14
At end of road, turn left onto NY 28N
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 28N
15
Continue on NY 28N
2.5 mi·3 min·Newcomb Road
16
Continue on NY 28N
30 mi·41 min·State Highway 28N
17
Turn slight left onto CR 30
2.8 mi·4 min·A P Morse Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Donnelly Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Donnelly Road
19
Continue on CR 29
1.2 mi·1 min·County Highway 29
20
Continue on CR 19
4.8 mi·7 min·Olmstedville Road
21
Turn straight onto US 9
0.2 mi·38 sec·US 9
22
Turn left onto Valley Farm Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·Valley Farm Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
24
Merge onto I 87
77 mi·1 hr 30 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
32
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
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
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
36
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
37
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
38
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
40
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
42
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
44
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To manage the 7h 15m duration comfortably, plan for at least two stops to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Leaving Colton early in the day is your best strategy to avoid hitting the heavy traffic associated with arriving in New York City during peak congestion. Since you are looking at a 336.6-mile journey, keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that long 118.6-mile stretch on I-87 to ensure you aren't forced to stop in a less convenient location. While the route is manageable in a single day, don't hesitate to build in extra time for traffic delays as you approach your destination, as the final leg of the drive can be unpredictable.
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 168.3 miles from Colton, NY, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 74 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.3 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
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 Colton, 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 Colton, NY
This is one driving day of about 336.6 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Colton, 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 I 87 for about 118.6 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 182.4 and 332.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
182.4 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
183.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
9
301 mi into trip|~6h 25m 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
302.4 mi into trip|~6h 27m 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
8
332.3 mi into trip|~7h 4m 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
$55.41 one way
$110.81 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$59.91
$119.82
premium
$4.92
$65.24
$130.48
diesel
$5.61
$74.32
$148.63
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$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
$55
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101
1
$35.34
$16.16
Efficient EV
84.2
0
$29.45
$13.46
EV Truck/SUV
134.6
1
$47.12
$21.54
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Colton, NY
Morning
in Colton on Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Tuesday
Local time
11:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 15m 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.
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 336.6
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 336.6
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 336.6
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 336.6
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 336.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 64% of your total travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of routes, including State Highway 28N, the Adirondack Northway, and the primary arterial road, I-87. Expect a significant portion of your journey to be dominated by interstate travel, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.6 miles on I-87. As you transition off the regional highways and onto the interstate system, the pace of the drive shifts from local road speeds to sustained highway cruising. It is a straightforward route, prioritizing time-saving transit over winding, technical backroads.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 87 and Adirondack Northway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 182.4 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort9/10
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 336.6 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 182.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 301 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,602 ft34 ft
Total Climb
1,376 ft
Total Descent
2,211 ft
Highest Point
1,602 ft
~72.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,568 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Colton, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
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
It's a full-day commitment at 7 hours and 15 minutes of driving, so this route is absolutely feasible for a weekend trip, just be prepared for a long travel day.
Family Friendly
With a complexity rating of 9/10, navigating this 336.6-mile route might be tricky with kids in tow, so definitely have entertainment ready. The 2 natural rest stops are a plus, but the overall 7 hour 15 minute drive time will require good pacing for family comfort.
Solo Traveler
This 336.6-mile drive is definitely manageable for a solo traveler, just make sure to factor in those 2 planned breaks to stay alert. The highway-focused profile means you'll be covering ground quickly, but the complexity score of 9/10 suggests you'll need to stay sharp with navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 182.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 301 miles (NY 17): 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.
