Traveling from Elma Center to The Bronx covers 371.5 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 17 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within New York, you will remain in the Northeast region for the duration of the trip. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $59 to cover the distance. While the route is manageable in a single day, it is a significant stretch that will require your full focus. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, knowing the time commitment upfront helps you decide if you should power through or break the journey up. This itinerary is best suited for those comfortable with a full day of driving 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
183 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 The Bronx, 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
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
31
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
33
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
34
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
36
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
38
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
40
Continue on I 95; US 1
2.9 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
43
Turn right onto Noble Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Noble Avenue
44
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Bronx River Avenue
45
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
46
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
47
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route without highway segments, your travel time can vary significantly based on traffic and local conditions. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid congestion, as navigating local roads through a 6-hour and 17-minute drive is much easier in daylight. You have one planned stop available to stretch your legs, so use it strategically to refresh before the final leg of your journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $59 estimate is a baseline that can change depending on your vehicle's efficiency on local roads. A smart tip for this specific trip is to preload your navigation app with the local road sequence, as the frequent turns through Bowen and Jamison roads can be easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention.
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 183 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 183 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Bronx, 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 365.9 miles and 7h 36m.
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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 188.5 and 356.7 — 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
350.9 mi into trip|~7h 13m in|I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Lev...
8
356.4 mi into trip|~7h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
356.7 mi into trip|~7h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.23 one way
$120.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$65.13
$130.25
premium
$4.92
$70.92
$141.84
diesel
$5.61
$80.79
$161.57
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$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
109.8
1
$38.42
$17.56
Efficient EV
91.5
1
$32.02
$14.64
EV Truck/SUV
146.4
1
$51.23
$23.42
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 14, 2026
Origin
Elma Center, NY
Morning
in Elma Center on Sunday
Local time
10:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Morning
in The Bronx on Sunday
Local time
10:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
W 6 mph4% 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
5 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 36m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 365.9
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 365.9
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 365.9
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 365.9
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 353.3
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...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 353.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through local roads like Bowen Road, Jamison Road, and the Aurora Expressway, which demand more attention than a standard turnpike run. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, the drive feels more technical and requires constant engagement from the driver. There are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches here, meaning your pace will fluctuate based on local traffic patterns and road layouts. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed travel.
62% 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 29 significant decision points across 365.9 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 350.9 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,935 ft53 ft
Total Climb
2,999 ft
Total Descent
3,751 ft
Highest Point
1,935 ft
~259.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,882 ft
Notable High Points
1,935 ft at ~259.2 miles+607 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 The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 365.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m 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 $16.00 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 The Bronx, 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 350.9 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at The Bronx, NY before the return drive.
