East Flatbush, NY to Watson, NY is 293.2 miles and takes about 6h 13m via NY 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New York. It's a fairly straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The route is designed for a single day of travel, so you can plan to arrive at your destination on the same day you depart.
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
146.6 miles from East Flatbush, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
63 mi
1h 12m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
Bea Luck Road
18.4 mi
21m
State Highway 12
12 mi
16m
State Highway 28
11.7 mi
17m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
West Monroe Street
9.7 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Flatbush, NY and Watson, 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
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
33
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
34
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
35
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 29AToward NY 169: Little Falls, DolgevilleUse the slight right lane.
38
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·54 sec·this road
39
Continue on NY 169
1.9 mi·2 min·NY 169
40
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.7 mi·1 min·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
41
Turn right onto NY 167
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Ann Street
42
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
9.7 mi·15 min·West Monroe Street
43
Continue on NY 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 28
44
Continue on NY 28
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
45
Continue on NY 28
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
46
Continue on NY 28
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
47
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 8
48
Turn right onto NY 28
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 28
49
Turn right onto NY 12
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
50
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
51
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
52
Continue on NY 12
18 mi·21 min·Bea Luck Road
53
Turn sharp right onto Bealuk Road
1.0 mi·3 min·Bealuk Road
54
Turn left onto East Martinsburg Road
0.6 mi·2 min·East Martinsburg Road
55
Turn right onto CR 22
0.3 mi·42 sec·Number Four Road
56
Arrive at destination
CR 22
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 13m duration, starting your drive in East Flatbush in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. While there's only one suggested stop, you'll want to plan for brief breaks on your own to stay alert, especially during the longest stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway services can sometimes be spread out. Having a budget of around $48 for fuel should cover the 293.2-mile trip, but it's always wise to have a little extra.
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 146.6 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 65 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.6 miles or 3h 5m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watson, 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 293.2 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 42.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
4.9 mi into trip|~10m in
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...
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
8
19.1 mi into trip|~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
42.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.26 one way
$96.53 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.19
$104.37
premium
$4.92
$56.83
$113.66
diesel
$5.61
$64.73
$129.47
Estimated Tolls: $19.15
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(63 mi)$3.15
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
$48
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88
1
$30.79
$14.07
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.65
$11.73
EV Truck/SUV
117.3
1
$41.05
$18.76
Gas CO2
103 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
East Flatbush, NY
Late night
in East Flatbush on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Watson, NY
Late night
in Watson on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Stockport, NY
147 mi in
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 13m 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 heavily focused on highways, with 63% of the journey on faster roads. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the New York State Thruway and NY 17. Expect the longest uninterrupted stretch to be 117.5 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for a sustained period of highway driving. The character of the route is primarily that of a functional transit corridor, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 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 33 significant decision points across 293.2 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 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; at 8.6 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 East Flatbush, NY and Watson, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Dolgeville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 293.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.15 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 Watson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Watson, NY before the return drive.
