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Trip from Elmhurst, NY to Depew, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 51m

Distance

373.9 mi

602 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
7h 42m ★
6 AM
7h 51m
8 AM
8h 9m
10 AM
7h 57m
12 PM
7h 56m
3 PM
7h 58m
5 PM
8h 8m
8 PM
7h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Elmhurst, NY, NY

Elmhurst, NY

Mel Audelo

Downtown Depew, NY, NY

Depew, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Elmhurst, NY to Depew, NY is 373.9 miles and takes about 7h 51m via I 86 and I 81, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, taking you from the bustling Northeast region to another part of the same region. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive, especially if you're looking for a straightforward route without too many unexpected turns. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it a predictable and efficient way to cover the distance.

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

186.9 miles from Elmhurst, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
Genesee Expressway 38.6 mi 44m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Broadway Road 13.9 mi 19m
Broadway Street 11.6 mi 21m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~4,353 veh/hr typical · worst 5,201

Quietest

1 AM

~459 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.5×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 103 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 Elmhurst, NY and Depew, NY.

1

Start on Grand Avenue

90 ft · 7 sec · Grand Avenue
2

Turn left onto NY 25

1.2 mi · 3 min · Queens Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 278 West: Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Brooklyn Use the straight lane.
4

Merge onto I 278

0.7 mi · 1 min · Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
5

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 35 Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint Avenue Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 35W Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan Use the slight left lane.
7

Merge onto I 495

1.4 mi · 2 min · Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 495

1.3 mi · 2 min · Queens-Midtown Tunnel
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward Crosstown, 37th Street Use the slight left lane.
10

Turn slight left onto East 37th Street

1.1 mi · 3 min · East 37th Street
Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the ramp

474 ft · 11 sec
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
12

Turn right

342 ft · 11 sec
Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto NY 495

105 ft · 4 sec · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495

3.7 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel Expressway
Toward Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
20

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
25

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
26

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
27

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

39 mi · 44 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
30

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 7 Toward NY 408, NY 63: Mount Morris, Letchworth Park
31

Turn right onto NY 408

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
32

Continue on NY 63

3.3 mi · 4 min · Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
33

Turn left onto NY 63

1.3 mi · 1 min · Genesee Street
34

Enter roundabout onto NY 63

100 ft · 1 sec · Genesee Street
35

Continue on NY 63

7.5 mi · 11 min · Genesee Street
36

Continue on NY 63

0.7 mi · 54 sec · State Highway 63
37

Continue on NY 63

4.1 mi · 6 min · Big Tree Road
38

Continue on NY 63

3.0 mi · 4 min · Ellicott Street Road
39

Turn left onto US 20

6.5 mi · 8 min · Telephone Road
40

Continue on US 20

14 mi · 19 min · Broadway Road
41

Continue on US 20

1.6 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street
42

Continue on US 20

10.0 mi · 17 min · Broadway Street
43

Turn slight right onto Bloomfield Avenue

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Bloomfield Avenue
44

Turn slight left onto Terrace Boulevard

220 ft · 6 sec · Terrace Boulevard
45

Arrive at destination

Terrace Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 51m estimated drive time, leaving Elmhurst in the morning, perhaps between 7-9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Depew with plenty of daylight. You have two recommended stops, so plan to take breaks roughly every 2-3 hours to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is about 100 miles on I 86, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $62, so factor that into your budget. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have flexibility in when and where you choose to stop.

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 186.9 miles from Elmhurst, NY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 186.9 miles or 3h 54m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Depew, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, NY

This is one driving day of about 373.9 miles and 7h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Elmhurst, 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 I 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Barton, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Barton, NY

187 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

New York City, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Barton, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 186.9 miles from Elmhurst, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 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.

Broome Gateway Rest Area

0 mi from route

Campbell Rest Area

0 mi from route

Geneseo Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Kanona Rest Area

0 mi from route

Penn-Can Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Rest area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Nichols Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Owego Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Mount Morris Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Crescent Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.5 mi from route

Larry Doby Service Area

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.9 mi from route

Connie Chung Service Area

0.9 mi from route

Rest Area

0.9 mi from route

Alexander Hamilton Service Area

1.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

Vince Lombardi Service Area

2.5 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 32

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 11 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Island, Greenpoint Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 35 Toward I 495: Midtown Tunnel, Eastern Long Isla...
9
2.5 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 35W Toward I 495 West: Midtown Tunnel, Manhattan
8
5.6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Crosstown, 37th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Crosstown, 37th Street
7
7.1 mi into trip | ~16m in | NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 495 / Lincoln Tunnel Expressway toward Lincoln Tunnel

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward Lincoln Tunnel
8
11 mi into trip | ~23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$65.45 one way

$130.89 round trip

$4.45/gal 25.4 MPG avg 131 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.82 $70.92 $141.85
premium $5.23 $76.99 $153.98
diesel $6.28 $92.39 $184.77

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Lincoln Tunnel $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

$65

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$106–$131

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 130.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112.2 1 $39.26 $17.95
Efficient EV 93.5 1 $32.72 $14.96
EV Truck/SUV 149.6 1 $52.35 $23.93

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 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 Oct 22, 2026

Origin

Elmhurst, NY

Night in Elmhurst on Thursday

Local time

9:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Mostly Cloudy

N 12 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Depew, NY

Night in Depew on Thursday

Local time

9:10 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Mostly Sunny

W 0 to 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

38°F

Barton, NY

187 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

14 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 51m 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.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 12.9
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 12.9
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 12.9
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 12.9
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 12.9
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 12.9
View on nps.gov

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 68% of the 373.9 miles spent on major interstates. You'll encounter a long stretch of about 100 miles on I 86, offering a good period of consistent cruising. As you get closer to your destination, expect the highway to give way to surface roads, likely with more frequent exits and local traffic to navigate. The profile is mostly highway, so be prepared for a good amount of time on high-speed routes.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 32 significant decision points across 373.9 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

1,928 ft 23 ft

Total Climb

3,373 ft

Total Descent

2,726 ft

Highest Point

1,928 ft

~106.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,906 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elmhurst, NY and Depew, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Letchworth Park.

Del Water Gap

32.1 mi in | ~48m

Mahwah

32.4 mi in | ~49m | via I 80W

Letchworth Park

321.2 mi in | ~6h 30m

About the Cities

Arriving in Depew, NY

Full guide →

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 51m. Total distance: 373.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln 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 40 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 Depew, 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange 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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Depew, NY before the return drive.

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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