Traveling from Elma to New York City covers 360.3 miles and typically takes about 7 hours and 37 minutes. This highway-focused trip is designed for a single day, though the duration makes it a full day behind the wheel. You will rely primarily on the Southern Tier Expressway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to navigate through the Northeast. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, it is a straightforward trek that connects Western New York to the state's largest metropolitan center. Since the entire route remains within New York state, you can expect consistent road signage and infrastructure throughout the journey.
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
180.2 miles from Elma, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Elma, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on CR 242
3.2 mi·5 min·Bowen Road
2
Turn right onto Jamison Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Jamison Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
4
Merge onto NY 400
3.8 mi·4 min·Aurora Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 20A, NY 78: East Aurora
6
Turn left onto US 20A; NY 78
0.1 mi·12 sec·Main Street
7
Continue on US 20A; NY 78
11 mi·15 min·Big Tree Road
8
Continue on US 20A
11 mi·15 min·Varysburg Road
9
Continue on US 20A
1.7 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Road
10
Continue on US 20A
4.6 mi·8 min·West Buffalo Street
11
Continue on US 20A
7.4 mi·10 min·Perry Center Road
12
Continue on CR 64
2.3 mi·3 min·Perry Road
13
Turn right onto NY 36
1.3 mi·1 min·Mount Morris Road
14
Continue on NY 36
1.8 mi·4 min·North Main Street
15
Continue on NY 36
4.1 mi·7 min·Sonyea Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
17
Merge onto I 390
33 mi·37 min·Genesee Expressway
18
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
24
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
26
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
28
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
32
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
33
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
34
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
35
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
37
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
39
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
41
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour and 37-minute drive effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to break up the monotony of the highway stretches. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the potential congestion of entering New York City late in the day. Keep your fuel budget of $57 in mind, and consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 104.5-mile stretch to avoid any mid-trip stress. Because this is a long, single-day endeavor, remain flexible with your timing to accommodate traffic fluctuations on the major interstates. Prioritize these rest breaks to ensure you arrive at your destination alert and ready for the city.
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 180.2 miles from Elma, NY, or about 3h 51m 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 79 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.2 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elma, 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, NY
This is one driving day of about 360.3 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Elma, 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 190 and 355.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
190 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
243.3 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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...
6
247.8 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
355.4 mi into trip|~7h 25m 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
355.6 mi into trip|~7h 25m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.31 one way
$118.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$64.13
$128.26
premium
$4.92
$69.83
$139.67
diesel
$5.61
$79.55
$159.10
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
$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: 126.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.1
1
$37.83
$17.29
Efficient EV
90.1
1
$31.53
$14.41
EV Truck/SUV
144.1
1
$50.44
$23.06
Gas CO2
126 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Elma, NY
Morning
in Elma on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 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 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 37m 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.
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 360.3
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 360.3
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 360.3
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 360.3
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 360.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 67% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Southern Tier Expressway, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 104.5 miles. While the drive is efficient, the personality of the road remains consistent rather than varied, leaning heavily toward an interstate-focused experience. You should be prepared for a steady, focused pace that prioritizes reaching your destination quickly over technical winding roads. This is a practical, utilitarian drive that requires sustained attention during the long highway segments.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 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 190 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 26 significant decision points across 360.3 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 190 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.8 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,913 ft34 ft
Total Climb
3,355 ft
Total Descent
4,039 ft
Highest Point
1,913 ft
~255.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,879 ft
Notable High Points
1,607 ft at ~210.2 miles+560 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, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
A 7h 37m drive for a weekend trip means you'll spend most of your Saturday or Sunday on the road. It's feasible, but factor in the hilly terrain and complex navigation to make sure you have enough time for actual enjoyment in NYC.
Family Friendly
This route is a serious undertaking for families, with a 10/10 complexity and 360.3 miles of hilly terrain. You'll want to plan for more than the 2 suggested breaks and have plenty of entertainment ready for the kids, especially given the lack of cell coverage.
Solo Traveler
This 360.3-mile drive is totally doable solo in under 8 hours, but the 10/10 complexity means you'll need to stay sharp, especially with no cell coverage. Plan for a good audiobook or podcast playlist to keep you company.
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 New York City, 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 190 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 243.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.8 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (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 New York City, NY before the return drive.
