Traveling from Gravesend to Albany covers 158.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick getaway. You will be traveling entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the urban density of New York City toward the state capital. Since the route is straightforward, it serves as an efficient connection rather than a multi-day excursion. Whether you are heading up for business or a change of pace, this direct corridor keeps your transit time predictable and manageable.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.3 miles from Gravesend, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
Coney Island Avenue
3.4 mi
6m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Prospect Expressway
1.9 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.8 mi
3m
I 787
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gravesend, NY and Albany, NY.
1
Start on Ocean Parkway
99 ft·8 sec·Ocean Parkway
2
Turn right onto Avenue U
0.2 mi·35 sec·Avenue U
3
Turn left onto Coney Island Avenue
3.4 mi·6 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·25 sec·Church Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto NY 27
1.9 mi·3 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
7
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
8
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
10
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
12
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
15
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
17
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
18
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
19
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
29
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
30
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
31
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
112 mi·2 hr 8 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on I 787
1.6 mi·2 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 4Toward US 9 North, US 20 West: Downtown AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn straight onto Quay Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·Quay Street
36
Turn left onto NY 5
0.2 mi·42 sec·NY 5
37
Turn left onto NY 5
0.3 mi·51 sec·State Street
38
At end of road, turn right onto NY 5
182 ft·5 sec·Eagle Street
39
Turn straight onto NY 5
498 ft·19 sec·Washington Avenue
40
Turn left
30 ft·2 sec
41
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Aim to complete your one planned stop during the long 111.7-mile segment on NY 17 to break up the monotony and stretch your legs. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $26, filling up your tank before you leave Gravesend can help you avoid stop-and-go refueling along the highway. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between the state and local road segments, particularly when moving between NJ 3 and NJ 17. Because the drive is short enough for a single day, focus your energy on timing your departure to avoid peak congestion near the start of your route.
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 79.3 miles from Gravesend, NY, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 35 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.3 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gravesend, 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 Gravesend, NY
This is one driving day of about 158.7 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Gravesend, 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 NY 17 for about 111.7 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 44 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
6.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
8.8 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
10.2 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
20.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
44 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.12 one way
$52.25 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$28.25
$56.49
premium
$4.92
$30.76
$61.52
diesel
$5.61
$35.04
$70.08
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$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
$26
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
EV Truck/SUV
63.5
0
$22.22
$10.16
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 20, 2026
Origin
Gravesend, NY
Late night
in Gravesend on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, NY
Late night
in Albany on Tuesday
Local time
5:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
79 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
17 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
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans heavily on major thoroughfares, with highways accounting for 91% of your total travel time. You will navigate via a combination of NY 17, NJ 17, and NJ 3 as you make your way north. The journey features a significant 111.7-mile stretch on NY 17, which serves as the backbone of your drive. Because of this high highway concentration, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a winding backroads experience. The road character remains relatively uniform throughout, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm as you cover the distance between these two New York locations.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 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 6.5 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 158.7 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 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gravesend, NY and Albany, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Jersey City and New York State Thruway North: Albany.
Albany is the capital of New York. Albany is an interesting showcase of several centuries' worth of architectural styles, including the modernistic Empire State Plaza.
Top landmarks
•New York State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of New York
•Fort Orange — fort in New Netherland (now Albany, New York)
•Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — historic cathedral in Albany, New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 158.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 Albany, 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 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
