Covert, NY to Staten Island, NY is 240.3 miles and takes about 5h 17m via I 81, Keystone Shortway, and I 380, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Northeast region, primarily navigating through New York. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Plan for a solid 5-hour driving block, plus any time for stops.
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
120.2 miles from Covert, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
NJ 24
9.3 mi
10m
Route 10 East
9.2 mi
11m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
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 Covert, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on West Covert Road
24 ft·3 sec·West Covert Road
2
Turn right onto NY 96
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 96
3
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
4
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
6
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
7
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
8
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
9
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
10
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
13
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
14
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
15
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
16
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
18
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
24
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
27
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
28
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
29
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
32
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
37
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
40
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
41
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
42
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
43
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
44
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
45
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
46
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
47
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
48
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
49
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
50
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
53
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
54
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
55
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
56
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
57
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
58
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
59
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
60
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
61
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
62
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
63
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 17m estimated drive time, leaving Covert, NY in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Staten Island with daylight to spare. The single suggested stop is a good point to stretch your legs, but you can be flexible with additional breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 73.5-mile stretch on I 81, as services might be less frequent. This route is manageable in one day, so you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 120.2 miles from Covert, NY, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 53 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.2 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 8m
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 Covert, 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 Covert, NY
This is one driving day of about 240.3 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Covert, 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 73.5 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.3 and 225.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
66.3 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
119.6 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
194.9 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
225.5 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
225.7 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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
$39.05 one way
$78.11 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$42.27
$84.54
premium
$4.87
$46.04
$92.07
diesel
$5.40
$51.12
$102.23
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
$39
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.03
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.64
$15.38
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 26, 2026
Origin
Covert, NY
Afternoon
in Covert on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
N 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Afternoon
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny
NE 12 mph13% chanceLive forecast
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
5h 17m 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.
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...
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 232
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
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 232
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 232
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 232
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 240.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is largely highway-based, with 63% of the route on major roadways. You'll experience a 73.5-mile stretch on I 81, indicating a significant portion of uninterrupted highway cruising. The profile suggests mostly highway driving, meaning fewer turns and potentially more consistent speeds until you transition to surface roads. Expect a noticeable shift in driving conditions as you move from the main arteries to local routes.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
63 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 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 66.3 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 39 significant decision points across 240.3 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 66.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Covert, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark - among others.
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 5h 17m. Total distance: 240.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.5 miles on I 81. 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 22 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.3 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.9 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, Governors Island National Monument and African Burial Ground 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
