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Trip from East Flatbush, NY to West Elmira, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

245.3 mi

395 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, USA

East Flatbush, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown West Elmira, NY, NY

West Elmira, NY

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

East Flatbush, NY to West Elmira, NY is 245.3 miles and takes about 5 hours 7 minutes via I 81 and I 86, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a mostly highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two points.

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

122.7 miles from East Flatbush, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
I 86 54.7 mi 1h 4m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
NJ 3 10.9 mi 13m
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
Tonnelle Avenue 2.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 58.1 mi, about 1h 9m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 West Elmira, 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 25 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan Use 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 Bridge Use 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 Jersey Use 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: Secausus Use 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, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use 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 293 Toward 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

55 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
37

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 56 Toward NY 352: Elmira, Jerusalem Hill
38

Keep slight left at fork

103 ft · 6 sec
39

Turn left onto NY 352

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Water Street
40

Turn right onto North Main Street

0.2 mi · 22 sec · North Main Street
41

Turn left onto NY 352

2.0 mi · 3 min · West Church Street
42

Turn left onto Durland Avenue

524 ft · 25 sec · Durland Avenue
43

Turn right

204 ft · 16 sec
44

At end of road, turn left

174 ft · 14 sec
45

Turn right

168 ft · 12 sec
46

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving East Flatbush in the morning should allow you to reach West Elmira with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the 245.3 miles; the longest stretch is over 58 miles on I 81, so consider stopping before or after that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $44, it's wise to start with a full tank and monitor your fuel levels, especially if you encounter any unexpected detours. This drive is easily manageable in one day, giving you flexibility in your departure time.

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 122.7 miles from East Flatbush, NY, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 54 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 122.7 miles or 2h 39m 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 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Elmira, 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 245.3 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 58.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

most populous city in the United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New York City, NY

123 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.

Pacing Suggestions

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.7 miles from East Flatbush, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Broome Gateway Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Penn-Can Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Rest area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Nichols Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Owego Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Crescent Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.5 mi from route

Larry Doby Service Area

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.9 mi from route

Alexander Hamilton Service Area

0.9 mi from route

Connie Chung Service Area

0.9 mi from route

Rest Area

0.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Vince Lombardi Service Area

2.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 38

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

Toward Prospect Avenue, Prospect Expressway Nor...
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...
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

$39.68 one way

$79.37 round trip

$4.11/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.46 $43.06 $86.13
premium $4.85 $46.82 $93.64
diesel $4.80 $46.32 $92.63

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

$40

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.6 0 $25.76 $11.77
Efficient EV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81
EV Truck/SUV 98.1 1 $34.34 $15.70

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026

Origin

East Flatbush, NY

Evening in East Flatbush on Monday

Local time

8:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

NW 9 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

West Elmira, NY

Evening in West Elmira on Monday

Local time

8:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Mostly Clear

NW 0 to 7 mph 0% chance Live 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

35 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 7m 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.

African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 ~3 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 ~3 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 ~2 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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 ~5 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 8.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

With 68% of this route on the highway, you'll be spending a significant amount of time on interstates like I 81 and I 86. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 58.1 miles on I 81. You'll likely notice a shift from more urban-influenced highway driving to more rural cruising as you progress westward.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.1 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and I 86. 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 Effort 10/10

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 38 significant decision points across 245.3 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 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

1,857 ft 8 ft

Total Climb

2,263 ft

Total Descent

1,406 ft

Highest Point

1,857 ft

~105.1 mi in

Elevation Range

1,849 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 West Elmira, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.

Del Water Gap

36.3 mi in | ~55m

Mahwah

36.6 mi in | ~55m | via I 80W

About the Cities

Starting in East Flatbush, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in West Elmira, NY

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 245.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 58.1 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 31 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 West Elmira, 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 31 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at West Elmira, NY before the return drive.

How this page is built

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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