East New York, NY to Syracuse, NY is 258.6 miles and takes about 5h 25m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the Northeast region. Expect a mostly highway experience for this drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. It's a good choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground 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
129.3 miles from East New York, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.5 mi
2h 31m
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
Bushwick Avenue
3.4 mi
8m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East New York, NY and Syracuse, NY.
1
Start on Cleveland Street
88 ft·6 sec·Cleveland Street
2
Turn right onto Livonia Avenue
233 ft·15 sec·Livonia Avenue
3
Turn right onto Ashford Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Ashford Street
4
Turn left onto Sutter Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Sutter Avenue
5
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Pennsylvania Avenue
6
Turn left onto Bushwick Avenue
3.4 mi·8 min·Bushwick Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto Grand Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Grand Street
8
Continue on Borinquen Place
0.4 mi·1 min·Borinquen Place
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Williamsburg BridgeUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto Williamsburg Bridge
0.2 mi·21 sec·Williamsburg Bridge
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge
1.2 mi·2 min·Williamsburg Bridge
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on Delancey Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Delancey Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on Kenmare Street
0.2 mi·57 sec·Kenmare Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
222 ft·11 sec·Lafayette Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Broome Street
0.3 mi·1 min·Broome Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Watts Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Watts Street
17
Take the exit
383 ft·13 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
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
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
39
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
40
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi·2 min·I 81
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison StreetUse the slight right lane.
42
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
43
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi·36 sec·East Genesee Street
44
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft·0 sec·South State Street
45
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 25m duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize driving in the dark. While this trip is easily doable in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway point if you prefer to break up the driving. The longest stretch without exiting the highway is 128.5 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it's a relatively affordable trip to budget for.
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 129.3 miles from East New York, NY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 57 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.3 miles or 2h 51m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East New York, 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 New York, NY
This is one driving day of about 258.6 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from East New York, 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 128.5 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.2 and 255.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.2 mi into trip|~22m in|Lafayette Street
At end of road, turn left onto Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
8.7 mi into trip|~24m 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 slight right lane.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
7
12.1 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
7
188.7 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
7
255.2 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward Syracuse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Syracuse
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.57 one way
$85.13 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$46.03
$92.06
premium
$4.92
$50.12
$100.24
diesel
$5.61
$57.10
$114.19
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
$43
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.63
$10.34
EV Truck/SUV
103.4
1
$36.20
$16.55
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 16, 2026
Origin
East New York, NY
Morning
in East New York on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning
in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
6:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
129 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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 25m 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
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...
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...
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...
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?
With 70% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on major arteries like I 81 and I 380. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 128.5 miles along I 81. Be prepared for a significant portion of the drive to be rural cruising once you're out of the initial urban areas. You'll encounter a relatively dense number of exits in some sections of the highway portion.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.2 miles in near Lafayette Street.
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 32 significant decision points across 258.6 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 8.2 miles (Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East New York, NY and Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
East Brooklyn encompasses Cypress Hills, East New York, Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Flatlands, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, and Barren Island. Even many New Yorkers from outside these neighborhoods seldom if ever visit, and these areas represent unlikely tourist destinations, unless you are visiting friends or attending a specific event. That said, there are some unique though lesser-visited attractions in the area.
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
•Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
•Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
•Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 258.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.5 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 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 Syracuse, 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 8.2 miles (Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial and Stonewall 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Syracuse, NY before the return drive.
