Elma, NY to Sheepshead Bay, NY is 370.8 miles and takes about 7h 58m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York and Pennsylvania. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a relatively straightforward, mostly highway drive to cover a good distance in a single day. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without excessive complexity.
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
185.4 miles from Elma, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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, NY and Sheepshead Bay, 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
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
37
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
38
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
39
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
40
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
41
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
42
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.
43
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.
44
Turn left onto NY 27
0.3 mi·45 sec·Caton Avenue
45
Turn right onto NY 27
2.7 mi·5 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Turn left onto Avenue P
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue P
Use the left lane.
47
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Ocean Avenue
48
Turn left onto Avenue Y
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenue Y
Use the left lane.
49
Arrive at destination
Avenue Y
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 58m estimated drive time, leaving Elma, NY in the morning should allow you to reach Sheepshead Bay, NY before dark. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 370.8 miles effectively. Consider your first stop around the halfway point, perhaps after the longest stretch on the Southern Tier Expressway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated cost is $60; knowing your vehicle's mileage will help you plan your refueling stops. The mostly highway nature of this route means you'll encounter fewer complex intersections, but always be aware of your surroundings, particularly when merging or exiting.
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 185.4 miles from Elma, NY, or about 3h 57m 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 82 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.4 miles or 3h 57m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheepshead Bay, 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 370.8 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 190 and 360.7 — 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...
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
8
360.7 mi into trip|~7h 37m 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
$59.98 one way
$119.97 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$65.09
$130.19
premium
$4.85
$70.77
$141.55
diesel
$4.80
$70.01
$140.03
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: 129.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.2
1
$38.93
$17.80
Efficient EV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.83
EV Truck/SUV
148.3
1
$51.91
$23.73
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Elma, NY
Late night
in Elma on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Smoke
SW 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Late night
in Sheepshead Bay on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Smoke
N 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
185 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
13 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 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.
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...
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...
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 370.8
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 65% of this 370.8-mile trip on major highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in direction or road type is 104.5 miles, primarily on the Southern Tier Expressway. Expect a good amount of highway cruising, with exits spaced out, before transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. The profile is mostly highway, so plan for consistent speeds for the majority of the drive.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 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 33 significant decision points across 370.8 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 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 355.4 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
1,895 ft12 ft
Total Climb
3,803 ft
Total Descent
4,508 ft
Highest Point
1,895 ft
~264.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,882 ft
Notable High Points
1,686 ft at ~26.5 miles+968 ft prominence
1,895 ft at ~264.8 miles+778 ft prominence
1,087 ft at ~317.8 miles+515 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 Sheepshead Bay, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 58m. Total distance: 370.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m 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.
Yes — we found about 36 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Sheepshead Bay, 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. There are 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 355.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheepshead Bay, NY before the return drive.
