Traveling from Gorham, NY, to Manhattan, NY, covers approximately 300.1 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget for roughly $47 in fuel costs. While the trip is feasible as a single-day excursion, the nature of the roads requires your full attention behind the wheel. Both your origin and destination are located within the Northeast region, keeping the cultural and geographic transition familiar throughout the trip. Whether you choose to power through in one go or break up the journey, having a clear plan for these 300 miles will help you manage the long duration behind the wheel.
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
143.6 miles from Gorham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
NY 245
8.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 80 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gorham, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Main Street
20 ft·6 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left
112 ft·4 sec
3
Turn straight onto NY 245
8.6 mi·12 min·NY 245
4
Turn right onto US 20; NY 5
0.2 mi·20 sec·Canandaigua Road
5
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
6
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
7
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
8
Turn right onto NY 96A
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 96A
9
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 96A
6.7 mi·9 min·State Highway 96A
10
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Street
11
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·13 sec·North Town Line Road
12
Continue on NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
13
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
14
Turn right onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
15
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
16
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
17
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
18
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
19
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
20
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
21
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
22
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
23
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
24
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
25
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
27
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
28
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
29
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
30
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
31
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
33
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
35
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.
36
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.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
38
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
39
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
43
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
45
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
47
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
48
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
50
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
52
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
53
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.
54
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
56
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
60
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
61
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
62
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 5-hour and 14-minute route, plan to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight for navigation. You are limited to one recommended stop, so choose your break point strategically to ensure you stay energized for the technical sections of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than major interstates, and stick to your $47 estimated fuel budget. Since the route is entirely local, be mindful of speed limit fluctuations and local traffic patterns that can impact your travel time. A pro tip for this specific journey is to double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are comfortable with a route that avoids highways entirely before you depart.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.6 miles from Gorham, NY, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 63 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gorham, 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 Gorham, NY
This is one driving day of about 287.2 miles and 6h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Gorham, 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 80 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 162 and 281.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
162 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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...
8
276.6 mi into trip|~5h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
276.8 mi into trip|~5h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
280.7 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
281.2 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.27 one way
$94.55 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$51.12
$102.24
premium
$4.92
$55.66
$111.33
diesel
$5.61
$63.41
$126.82
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$47
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.2
1
$30.16
$13.79
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
EV Truck/SUV
114.9
1
$40.21
$18.38
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Gorham, NY
Late night
in Gorham on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
3:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
SW 7 to 15 mph9% chanceLive 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
20 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
6h 11m 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
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 287.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate using local roads like Canandaigua Road, Hamilton Street, and Lake Front Drive. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Canandaigua Road, you should prepare for a drive that demands constant focus and frequent turns. This is a technical, low-speed environment that moves away from the monotony of high-speed travel, offering a more hands-on driving experience. By avoiding major highways, you trade speed for a more intimate look at the local landscape, though you must remain alert to the road's changing character.
Only 55% 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: 80 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 162 miles in near US 6.
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 38 significant decision points across 287.2 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 162 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,944 ft107 ft
Total Climb
1,772 ft
Total Descent
2,557 ft
Highest Point
1,944 ft
~184.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,838 ft
Notable High Points
1,944 ft at ~184.6 miles+623 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gorham, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 11m. Total distance: 287.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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.
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 Manhattan, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 162 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, NY before the return drive.
