East Flatbush, NY to Lyons, NY is 292.2 miles and takes about 6h 22m via I 81, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, both starting and ending in New York. Given its mostly highway profile, this route is a straightforward drive. It's a manageable distance for a single day, making it a good option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stop.
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
146.1 miles from East Flatbush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.8 mi
1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
State Highway 96
16.2 mi
23m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 123 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
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 East Flatbush, NY and Lyons, NY.
1
Start on NY 27
1.3 mi·3 min·Linden Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·40 sec·Caton Avenue
3
Turn right onto Saint Pauls Place
0.2 mi·51 sec·Saint Pauls Place
4
At end of road, turn left onto Parkside Avenue
0.5 mi·53 sec·Parkside Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Fort Hamilton Parkway
266 ft·5 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
6
Continue on Fort Hamilton Parkway
33 ft·0 sec·Fort Hamilton Parkway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Ocean Parkway
Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NY 27 West: Prospect Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
9
Merge onto NY 27
1.3 mi·2 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
11
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
14
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
16
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
19
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
22
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto NJ 3
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
28
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
34
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
39
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
40
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
41
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
42
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
43
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
44
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
45
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
46
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
47
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
48
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
49
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
50
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
51
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
52
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
53
Turn left onto NY 89
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 89
54
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi·4 min·Ernsberger Road
55
At end of road, turn right onto NY 414
2.8 mi·4 min·Ovid Street
56
Turn left onto NY 336
1.8 mi·3 min·Townline Road
57
Turn right onto NY 96
6.2 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
58
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·36 sec·Fayette Street
59
Turn right onto NY 96
354 ft·16 sec·West River Street
60
Turn left onto NY 96
0.3 mi·27 sec·Washington Street
61
Continue on NY 96
0.9 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
62
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·15 sec·North Road
63
Continue on NY 96
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 96
64
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 90: Lyons, Thruway
65
Merge onto NY 14
8.1 mi·10 min·NY 14
Use the straight / right lanes.
66
Turn right onto Canal Street
20 ft·0 sec·Canal Street
67
Arrive at destination
Canal Street
Trip Plan
For this approximately 6-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from East Flatbush to maximize daylight and avoid rush hour traffic leaving the city. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 73.8 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so factor that into your budget. Pay attention to the transition from I 81 to US 11, as this is where the driving environment will likely change from pure highway to more local roads.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 146.1 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 64 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.1 miles or 3h 7m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lyons, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Flatbush, 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 East Flatbush, NY
This is one driving day of about 292.2 miles and 6h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from East Flatbush, 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 73.8 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 48
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 8.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip|~6m in|Ocean Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto Ocean Parkway toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
7.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
7
8.5 mi into trip|~19m in|Hudson Street
Turn left onto Hudson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
8.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.27 one way
$94.54 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$51.30
$102.59
premium
$4.85
$55.77
$111.54
diesel
$4.80
$55.17
$110.35
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
$47
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.7
1
$30.68
$14.03
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.57
$11.69
EV Truck/SUV
116.9
1
$40.91
$18.70
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 17, 2026
Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Evening
in East Flatbush on Sunday
Local time
5:47 PM
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
Destination
Lyons, NY
Evening
in Lyons on Sunday
Local time
5:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Smoke then Partly Cloudy
SE 3 to 7 mph6% 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 22m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 66% of the total distance covered by major roadways. You'll experience a stretch of 73.8 miles on I 81, which is the longest continuous section on a single highway. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising until you transition to surface roads for the latter part of the trip. The high highway percentage suggests a consistent pace with potentially numerous exits leading off the main thoroughfares.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
67 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near Ocean Parkway.
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 48 significant decision points across 292.2 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 2.4 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,826 ft30 ft
Total Climb
2,493 ft
Total Descent
2,115 ft
Highest Point
1,826 ft
~104.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,796 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Flatbush, NY and Lyons, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 292.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 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 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 33 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 Lyons, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (Ocean Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.2 miles: 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lyons, NY before the return drive.
