Fallsburg, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 90.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 56 minutes via NY 17, NJ 17, and the New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New York. Given that it's a relatively short drive, it's a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so expect a consistent pace for the majority of the travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.1 miles from Fallsburg, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
43.2 mi
51m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
New York State Thruway
13.7 mi
15m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Main Street
3.8 mi
5m
State Highway 42
2.8 mi
4m
I 95 EXPR
1.5 mi
2m
I 287
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 43.2 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Fallsburg, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Riverside Drive
0.1 mi·28 sec·Riverside Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto CR 53
0.2 mi·40 sec·Old Falls Road
3
Turn left onto NY 42
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 42
4
Continue on NY 42
3.8 mi·5 min·Main Street
5
Continue on NY 42
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 42
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward NY 17 East: New York CityUse the straight / left lanes.
7
Merge onto NY 17
42 mi·50 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 Toll South: New York CityUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 87
14 mi·15 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
16
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
21
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
22
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
0.2 mi·42 sec·US 9
Toward West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·34 sec·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
For this 90.2-mile drive, leaving any time of day should work, as it's easily completed within a few hours. Since the total travel time is under two hours, you likely won't need many stops. However, if you prefer to break up the drive, consider stopping around the halfway mark. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly as you get closer to Washington Heights, as congestion can significantly impact your arrival time.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.1 miles from Fallsburg, NY, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.1 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fallsburg, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fallsburg, NY
This is one driving day of about 90.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Fallsburg, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 43.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.5 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 87, NYST: Albany, New York City
9
64.7 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
89.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
89.7 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 178th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.66 one way
$29.32 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$15.87
$31.73
premium
$4.87
$17.28
$34.56
diesel
$5.40
$19.19
$38.37
Estimated Tolls: $16.68
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(13.7 mi)$0.68
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
$15
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.1
0
$9.47
$4.33
Efficient EV
22.6
0
$7.89
$3.61
EV Truck/SUV
36.1
0
$12.63
$5.77
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 26, 2026
Origin
Fallsburg, NY
Afternoon
in Fallsburg on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Afternoon
in Washington Heights on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Sunny
NE 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 26 at 12:24AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 8:05PM EDT until April 26 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
38°F
Chester, NY
45 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
3 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
1h 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
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...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 77% of the 90.2 miles on major roads like NY 17, NJ 17, and the New York State Thruway. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 43.2 miles on NY 17 before transitioning to other highways. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas, especially as you approach your destination.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90.2 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.1 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fallsburg, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Nyst: Albany, New York City, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 90.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.2 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.68 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Washington Heights, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.1 miles (NJ 17): 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
