Elmira to Brooklyn is 237.8 miles and takes about 5h 1m via Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region toward the urban sprawl of Brooklyn. The majority of the drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Expect a relatively quick transit with minimal complications due to its direct nature.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.9 miles from Elmira, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
Southern Tier Expressway
58.7 mi
1h 9m
I 81
53.4 mi
1h 3m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 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 Elmira, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 352
0.1 mi·15 sec·West Church Street
2
Turn right onto NY 14
0.2 mi·25 sec·Clemens Center Parkway
3
Turn left onto NY 352
1.1 mi·1 min·East Water Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
5
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
59 mi·1 hr 9 min·Southern Tier Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
11
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
13
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
15
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
22
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
24
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
25
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
26
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
28
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
29
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.
30
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.
31
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Elmira in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Brooklyn with time to spare before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading onto longer highway stretches like the 63.3-mile segment on the Keystone Shortway. The fuel cost estimate of $39 is based on average prices, so check current rates along your path. Since this trip can comfortably be done in under six hours, you can easily complete it in one day without needing an overnight stay.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.9 miles from Elmira, NY, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.9 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmira, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elmira, NY
This is one driving day of about 237.8 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Elmira, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 63.3 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 60.4 and 231.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
60.4 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
113.8 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
225.9 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
231.1 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$38.47 one way
$76.94 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$41.75
$83.49
premium
$4.85
$45.39
$90.78
diesel
$4.80
$44.90
$89.80
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
$38
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.97
$11.41
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.81
$9.51
EV Truck/SUV
95.1
1
$33.29
$15.22
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Elmira, NY
Night
in Elmira on Monday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 6 to 12 mph87% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Night
in Brooklyn on Monday
Local time
9:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Areas Of Smoke
S 12 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59AM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
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
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 229.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 68% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on the open road. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in direction or road type is 63.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. As you approach your destination, you'll notice an increase in exit density as you transition from expressway to more urbanized areas. This segment of the drive is characterized by consistent speed and straightforward navigation for most of its length.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and Southern Tier Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.4 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 237.8 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 60.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,923 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,415 ft
Total Descent
2,223 ft
Highest Point
1,923 ft
~135.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,913 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmira, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Elmira is the name of both a small city and a township in Chemung County in New York state. Visitors come to see the study where Mark Twain wrote parts of his novels.
Top landmarks
•F. M. Howell and Company — historic buildings in Elmira, New York, United States
•John Brand Jr. House — historic house in New York, United States
•Near Westside Historic District — historic district in Elmira, New York
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 237.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 28 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 Brooklyn, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 60.4 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.8 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 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, Federal Hall 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
