Edwards, NY to Manhattan, NY is 337.4 miles and takes about 6h 58m via New York State Thruway, State Highway 12, and Bea Luck Road, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. With a highway share of only 26%, expect a good portion of your time to be spent on surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to an all-highway route. It's a manageable drive that can be completed in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip.
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
168.7 miles from Edwards, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
State Highway 12
22.8 mi
31m
Bea Luck Road
19.6 mi
23m
State Highway 812
16.7 mi
20m
Indian River Road
16.1 mi
19m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
State Highway 58
6.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edwards, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Maple Avenue
85 ft·8 sec·Maple Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
307 ft·8 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on New Street
0.7 mi·1 min·New Street
4
Continue on Gouverneur Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Gouverneur Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto NY 58
6.7 mi·10 min·State Highway 58
6
Turn left onto NY 812
2.1 mi·2 min·Balmat-Fowler Road
7
Continue on NY 812
7.9 mi·9 min·State Highway 812
8
At end of road, turn right onto NY 3; NY 812
0.3 mi·33 sec·State Highway 812
9
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.4 mi·59 sec·State Street
10
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
11
Continue on NY 3; NY 812
2.9 mi·4 min·State Route 3
12
Turn left onto NY 812
5.7 mi·6 min·Indian River Road
13
Continue on NY 812
10 mi·12 min·Indian River Road
14
Continue on NY 812
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
15
Continue on NY 812
8.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 812
16
Turn left onto East State Street
1.5 mi·3 min·East State Street
17
Continue on Ross Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Ross Road
18
Turn left onto NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
19
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
20
Continue on NY 12
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
21
Continue on NY 12
22 mi·30 min·State Highway 12
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
23
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Route 49
24
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
28
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, BostonUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
32
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
35
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
36
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
38
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
40
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
41
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
44
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
48
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
49
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
50
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Edwards, NY, to maximize daylight and arrive in Manhattan before evening rush hour. Since this trip is under 7 hours, it's easily doable in one day, giving you flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without a major change is 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point of this section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads where services might be less frequent than on the Thruway.
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 168.7 miles from Edwards, NY, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 74 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.7 miles or 3h 33m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edwards, 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 Edwards, NY
This is one driving day of about 337.4 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Edwards, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 187.9 and 331.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
187.9 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
306 mi into trip|~6h 12m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
307.4 mi into trip|~6h 13m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
330.9 mi into trip|~6h 46m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
331.4 mi into trip|~6h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.58 one way
$109.16 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$59.23
$118.46
premium
$4.85
$64.40
$128.80
diesel
$4.80
$63.71
$127.41
Estimated Tolls: $26.09
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(201.9 mi)$10.09
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
$55
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$106–$131
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.2
1
$35.43
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.52
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.24
$21.59
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Edwards, NY
Late night
in Edwards on Monday
Local time
3:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NW 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Monday
Local time
3:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 2 to 6 mph0% 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
10 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
6h 58m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 337.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your drive will involve 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, representing about 26% of the total distance. After this stretch, you'll transition to surface roads, including State Highway 12 and Bea Luck Road. Be prepared for more frequent stops and lower average speeds as you move off the highway. The shift from high-speed Thruway cruising to more local roads means you'll encounter a different pace and potentially more traffic signals.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 187.9 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 30 significant decision points across 337.4 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 187.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,109 ft107 ft
Total Climb
1,039 ft
Total Descent
1,600 ft
Highest Point
1,109 ft
~72.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,002 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Edwards, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 337.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $26.09 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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.
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 Manhattan, 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 187.9 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, NY before the return drive.
