Traveling from Elma Center to Brooklyn covers 368.5 miles across the Northeast, making for a journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 39 minutes. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day push if you are comfortable with a full day of driving. You should budget approximately $58 for fuel to complete the transit. Because this path is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, it requires more focus than a simple interstate cruise. Weigh your preference for local roads against the time commitment before heading out, as this route demands your full attention behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.9 miles from Elma Center, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Elma Center, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on Woodard Road
98 ft·13 sec·Woodard Road
2
Turn left onto CR 242
1.7 mi·2 min·Bowen Road
3
Turn right onto Jamison Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Jamison Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
5
Merge onto NY 400
3.8 mi·4 min·Aurora Expressway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
7
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
8
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
9
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
10
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
11
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
12
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
13
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
14
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
15
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
18
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
19
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
25
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
27
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
29
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
33
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
34
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
35
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
36
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
38
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
39
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
40
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
41
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
42
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
43
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
44
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
45
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
47
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
To tackle this 6 hour and 39 minute drive efficiently, aim for an early morning departure to avoid unnecessary congestion on local roads. Since the route involves constant turning, plan for frequent, short breaks to stretch and maintain your focus throughout the journey. Keep your $58 fuel budget in mind and try to fill up before hitting the more densely populated areas near your destination. Because the trip is entirely on local roads, flexibility is your greatest asset—if traffic patterns look heavy, don't be afraid to adjust your schedule slightly. Above all, stay alert for local signage, as the turn-heavy nature of this 368.5-mile path means you will need to pay close attention to navigation cues.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.9 miles from Elma Center, NY, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 80 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.9 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elma Center, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elma Center, NY
This is one driving day of about 365.8 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elma Center, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 188.5 and 359.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
188.5 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
241.8 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
7
353.9 mi into trip|~7h 22m in
Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
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 NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
354.1 mi into trip|~7h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
359.2 mi into trip|~7h 35m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.21 one way
$120.43 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$65.11
$130.22
premium
$4.92
$70.90
$141.80
diesel
$5.61
$80.76
$161.53
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$60
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.7
1
$38.41
$17.56
Efficient EV
91.5
1
$32.01
$14.63
EV Truck/SUV
146.3
1
$51.21
$23.41
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Elma Center, NY
Late night
in Elma Center on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Late night
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
12:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
3 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
7h 48m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 365.8
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 353.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical experience on this 368.5-mile trek, as the route is defined as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward highway sprint. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire duration navigating local roads, which keeps the pace engaging but physically demanding. The lack of high-speed interstate sections means your average speed will remain lower than typical cross-state travel. You will find that the personality of the road remains consistent, requiring constant vigilance through various turns and changes in road layout. Prepare for an active driving session where you rarely settle into a long, monotonous cruise.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 188.5 miles in near I 81.
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 31 significant decision points across 365.8 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 188.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,931 ft22 ft
Total Climb
3,019 ft
Total Descent
3,774 ft
Highest Point
1,931 ft
~259.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,909 ft
Notable High Points
1,931 ft at ~259.1 miles+610 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elma Center, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 365.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.14 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 Brooklyn, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 188.5 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
