Trip from Elma Center, NY to Staten Island, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 47m
Distance
362.5 mi
583 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elma Center, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Staten Island, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Elma Center, NY to Staten Island, NY is 362.5 miles and takes about 7h 47m via Southern Tier Expressway, I 81, and Keystone Shortway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, entirely within New York state. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive. Given the duration and highway focus, it's well-suited for a single-day trip if you prefer to get there quickly, or you could break it up if you'd rather take your time.
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
181.3 miles from Elma Center, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Expressway | 104.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| I 81 | 53.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Keystone Shortway | 46.1 mi | 59m |
| Genesee Expressway | 32.6 mi | 37m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Varysburg Road | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| Big Tree Road | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| NJ 24 | 9.3 mi | 10m |
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 46 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 Elma Center, NY and Staten Island, NY.
Start on Woodard Road
Turn left onto CR 242
Turn right onto Jamison Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 400
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on US 20A
Continue on CR 64
Turn right onto NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Continue on NY 36
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 390
Merge onto I 86
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
Continue on I 84; I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on CR 631
Continue on US 46
Continue on US 46
Turn straight onto NJ 10
Continue on NJ 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Continue on NJ 24
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 78
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on Winans Avenue
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
Turn left onto CR 628
Continue on CR 628
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
Continue on CR 623
Turn left onto NJ 439
Turn left onto NJ 439
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 278
Continue on I 278
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
Continue on Richmond Road
Turn left onto Kensico Street
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
Continue on Corona Avenue
Turn right onto Croft Court
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 47m drive, consider an early morning start from Elma Center to maximize daylight. With only 2 planned stops, you can afford to be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 104.5-mile stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway, as services might be more spread out there. While this is a manageable one-day drive, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider stopping halfway. The $62 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your trip.
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.
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 181.3 miles or 3h 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 6h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, 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 362.5 miles and 7h 47m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 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
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 181.3 miles from Elma Center, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 miles.
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.
Rest Area
Nichols Rest Area
Rest Area
Campbell Rest Area
Crescent Lake Rest Area
Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
TA
Flying J Travel Center
Owego Rest Area
Broome Gateway Rest Area
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
Rest Area
Onvo Travel Plaza
Rest Area
Kanona Rest Area
Onvo Travel Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Onvo Travel Plaza
Whitney Houston Service Area
Mount Morris Rest Area
Geneseo Rest Area
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 405 decision points cluster between mile 188.5 and 347.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.64 one way
$117.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $63.64 | $127.27 |
| premium | $4.85 | $69.19 | $138.38 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.45 | $136.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$59
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.06 | $17.40 |
| Efficient EV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.72 | $14.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145 | 1 | $50.75 | $23.20 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Origin
Elma Center, NY
Late night in Elma Center on Sunday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Smoke
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Late night in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
5:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
84°F
Barton, NY
181 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
12 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
7h 47m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Gateway National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 70% of the 362.5 miles on major expressways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 104.5 miles along the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a fairly consistent cruising experience with a high percentage of highway driving. The transition from highway to more local roads will likely occur as you get closer to Staten Island.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and I 81. 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.
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 40 significant decision points across 362.5 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 317.1 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
Total Climb
3,111 ft
Total Descent
3,842 ft
Highest Point
1,911 ft
~259 mi in
Elevation Range
1,839 ft
Notable High Points
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
Mt Pocono
Milford
Lake Hopatcong
Morristown Airport
New York City
Newark
About the Cities
Starting in Elma Center, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Staten Island, NY
Full guide →Founded 1683
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
- • Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
- • Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
- • Fort Wadsworth — United States military base
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 7h 47m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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