Rest area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fayetteville, NY to New York City, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
251.9 mi
405 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fayetteville, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fayetteville, NY to New York City, NY is 251.9 miles and takes about 5h 14m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from New York state to New York state. The majority of this drive is on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive time, you can expect a fairly direct path to your destination.
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
126 miles from Fayetteville, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 125.9 mi | 2h 28m |
| Keystone Shortway | 63.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 380 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Essex Freeway | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| I 481 | 5 mi | 5m |
| I 84 | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| East Genesee Street | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| Holland Tunnel | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 125.9 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,211 veh/hr typical · worst 5,106
Quietest
1 AM
~488 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
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 Fayetteville, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 257
88 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Manlius Street
2
Turn left onto NY 5
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Genesee Street
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 481 South: Jamesville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 481
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 481
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
203 ft
·
4 sec
Exit 1
Toward Brighton Avenue
6
Enter roundabout onto East Glen Avenue
114 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Glen Avenue
7
Continue on East Glen Avenue
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Glen Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
9
Merge onto I-81
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
I-81
10
Continue on I 81
73 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 380
Exit 4
Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
16
Merge onto I 80
63 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
18
Continue on I 280
16 mi
·
20 min
·
Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17A
Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
20
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Turn straight
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Use the straight lane.
25
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Conrail Viaduct
26
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
12th Street Viaduct
27
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
29
Take the exit
305 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Brooklyn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft
·
7 sec
·
Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway
Use the straight lane.
33
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated drive time, leaving Fayetteville, NY in the morning should allow you to reach New York City before evening. The single recommended stop is plenty of time to refuel or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant break is 125.9 miles on I 81. Planning to depart earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic congestion as you get closer to the city.
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 126 miles from Fayetteville, NY, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.9 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 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville, NY
This is one driving day of about 251.9 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Fayetteville, 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 I 81 for about 125.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126 miles from Fayetteville, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.9 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Broome Gateway Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Whitney Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Preble
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Valley Settlement House
0.4 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.9 mi from route
Alexander Hamilton Service Area
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 247.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
NY 5 / East Genesee Street
Turn left onto NY 5 / East Genesee Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
81.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
135 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
247 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m 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
247.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m 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
$44.09 one way
$88.18 round trip
$4.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $47.78 | $95.56 |
| premium | $5.23 | $51.87 | $103.74 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $62.24 | $124.48 |
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
$44
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.45 | $12.09 |
| Efficient EV | 63 | 0 | $22.04 | $10.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.8 | 1 | $35.27 | $16.12 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Fayetteville, NY
Late night in Fayetteville on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
W 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night in New York City on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
2 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 14m 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...
0 mi from route
Free
near mile 251.9
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 251.9
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 251.9
View on nps.gov
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 251.9
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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 251.9
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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 251.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 70% of the total 251.9 miles on interstates like I 81 and I 380. You'll experience a long stretch of 125.9 miles on I 81 before transitioning. Expect to encounter a higher density of exits as you approach your destination.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.9 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near NY 5 / East Genesee Street.
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 25 significant decision points across 251.9 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: near the start (NY 5 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,809 ft
34 ft
Total Climb
1,937 ft
Total Descent
2,438 ft
Highest Point
1,809 ft
~144 mi in
Elevation Range
1,775 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fayetteville, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Mt Pocono
135 mi in
|
~2h 43m
|
via US 6
Milford
135.7 mi in
|
~2h 44m
|
via I 84; I 380
Newark
227.4 mi in
|
~4h 35m
About the Cities
Starting in Fayetteville, NY
Full guide →Arriving in New York City, NY
Full guide →“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624
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 — monument in New York
- • 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
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 5h 14m. Total distance: 251.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.9 miles on I 81. 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 26 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (NY 5 / East Genesee Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.6 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
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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