Traveling from Fredonia to New York City covers 388.9 miles and typically takes about 8 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. While it is technically possible to complete this journey in one long day, planning for two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. You should budget approximately $61 for fuel to cover the trip comfortably. Navigating this route involves a mix of the Keystone Shortway, PA 948, and the Essex Freeway. Since this journey stays entirely within the Northeast, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the western part of New York toward the metropolitan hub.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
194.4 miles from Fredonia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
246 mi
4h 39m
PA 948
23.8 mi
35m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
US 62
15.6 mi
19m
State Highway 60
14.4 mi
18m
Boot Jack Road
11.2 mi
16m
North Main Street
9.9 mi
14m
State Park Road
8.1 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 246 mi, about 4h 39m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,736 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,333
Quietest
1 AM
~340 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Fredonia, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on Temple Street
74 ft·8 sec·Temple Street
2
Turn left onto US 20
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right
456 ft·6 sec
4
Merge onto NY 60
7.1 mi·8 min·State Highway 60
5
Continue on NY 60
0.7 mi·51 sec·North Main Street
6
Continue on NY 60
7.3 mi·10 min·State Highway 60
7
Continue on NY 60
3.7 mi·5 min·North Main Street
8
Continue on NY 60
0.2 mi·36 sec·NY-60
9
Continue on NY 60
1.5 mi·2 min·NY-60
10
Continue on NY 60
3.8 mi·5 min·North Main Street
11
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 60
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Main Street
12
Turn left onto Marvin Parkway
0.2 mi·29 sec·Marvin Parkway
13
Turn right onto Lakeview Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Lakeview Avenue
14
Turn left onto Newton Avenue
73 ft·2 sec·Newton Avenue
15
Turn right onto Winsor Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Winsor Street
16
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·27 sec·this road
17
Turn slight right onto Allen Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Allen Street
18
Continue on Maple Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Maple Street
19
Continue on West Virginia Boulevard
0.4 mi·53 sec·West Virginia Boulevard
20
Turn right onto Glenview Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·Glenview Avenue
21
Turn left onto Martin Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Martin Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto NY 60
0.2 mi·17 sec·Foote Avenue
23
Turn right onto US 62
16 mi·19 min·US 62
24
Turn right onto US 62
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Avenue
25
Turn left onto Hickory Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Hickory Street
26
Continue on Hickory Bridge
0.1 mi·24 sec·Hickory Bridge
27
Turn left onto Crescent Park
0.4 mi·57 sec·Crescent Park
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto US 6
1.8 mi·3 min·Crescent Park
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi·35 sec·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Use the straight lane.
31
Continue on US 6
1.4 mi·2 min·North Main Street
32
Continue on US 6
4.5 mi·6 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
33
Continue on US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
34
Take the exit
265 ft·9 sec
Toward PA 666 West
35
Merge onto PA 666
2.3 mi·4 min·South Main Street
36
Continue on PA 948
8.5 mi·12 min·PA 948
37
At end of road, turn left onto PA 66
2.9 mi·4 min·PA 66
38
Turn right onto PA 948
15 mi·22 min·PA 948
39
Turn left onto PA 948
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
40
Continue on US 219; PA 948
11 mi·16 min·Boot Jack Road
41
Turn left onto PA 153
3.7 mi·6 min·Penfield Road
42
Continue on PA 153
5.0 mi·8 min·Hoovertown Road
43
Continue on PA 153
8.1 mi·14 min·State Park Road
44
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
45
Merge onto I 80
246 mi·4 hr 39 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
47
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
49
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
53
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
54
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
55
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
56
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
58
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
60
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
61
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
62
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour and 21-minute duration effectively, aim to break your trip into two days with two planned stops. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate local segments before traffic peaks. Since the route is turn-heavy, keep a reliable GPS handy to stay on track during the non-highway portions. Given the $61 fuel estimate, check your gas levels before hitting the longer 246-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway to ensure you don't run low between service intervals. Pacing yourself over two days will keep you refreshed for your arrival in New York City.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.4 miles from Fredonia, NY, or about 4h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.4 miles or 4h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 194.4 miles or 4h 28m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 1m
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 Fredonia, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fredonia, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into New York City, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Fredonia, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 246 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.5 and 386.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
47.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|Crescent Park
Turn left onto Crescent Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
364.3 mi into trip|~7h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 47A
Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
7
384 mi into trip|~8h 9m 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
384.2 mi into trip|~8h 10m 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
6
386.2 mi into trip|~8h 14m in|I 78 / Holland Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 / Holland Tunnel toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.12 one way
$124.23 round trip
$4.06/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$67.35
$134.71
premium
$4.78
$73.22
$146.43
diesel
$4.58
$70.09
$140.19
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
$62
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-06.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.7
1
$40.83
$18.67
Efficient EV
97.2
1
$34.03
$15.56
EV Truck/SUV
155.6
1
$54.45
$24.89
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Fredonia, NY
Late night
in Fredonia on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Patchy Smoke
N 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
W 14 mph71% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:56PM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
11 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
8h 21m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 388.9
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 388.9
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 388.9
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 388.9
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 388.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only about 20% of this 388.9-mile trip is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 246 miles along the Keystone Shortway. Because the route relies so heavily on technical local roads rather than long interstate grinds, the drive feels much more involved and varied than a standard highway cruise. Plan for a slower pace as you transition between these different road types throughout the day.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
62 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.5 miles in near Crescent Park.
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 36 significant decision points across 388.9 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 47.5 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 364.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 384 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
1,770 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,871 ft
Total Descent
3,564 ft
Highest Point
1,770 ft
~194.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,736 ft
Notable High Points
1,770 ft at ~194.4 miles+981 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fredonia, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Newark along the way.
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 — American icon in New York, United States
•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
This 8-hour, 388.9-mile drive is a bit of a beast with its 10/10 complexity and 20% highway driving, but splitting it into 2 days with 2 breaks makes it totally manageable for a solo traveler. You'll get a good mix of engaging local roads.
Scenic Drive
While this route is only 20% highway, the 'turn-heavy local drive' description and 10/10 complexity suggest it's more about navigating than soaking in expansive vistas. Expect a very hands-on driving experience for the full 388.9 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 194 miles on day one.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.5 miles (Crescent Park): Lane positioning matters here; at 364.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 384 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 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 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.
