Gravesend, NY to Massena, NY is 373.1 miles and takes about 8h 10m via NY 17 and Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York state, starting in the Northeast region and ending in the same area. Given the duration and distance, this route is best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace. You'll find it's a mix of highway and surface roads, so plan accordingly.
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
186.5 miles from Gravesend, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
Adirondack Northway
97.7 mi
1h 53m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
Santa Clara Road
20.9 mi
31m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
South Main Street
10.9 mi
16m
I 787
9 mi
12m
Adirondack Trail
8.9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Gravesend, NY and Massena, 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
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
36
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
37
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
38
Merge onto I 87
98 mi·1 hr 53 min·Adirondack Northway
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
40
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
41
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
42
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
43
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
44
Continue on NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
45
Turn slight left onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
46
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
47
Continue on NY 86
1.2 mi·3 min·Lake Flower Avenue
48
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.3 mi·42 sec·River Street
49
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·51 sec·Church Street
50
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
490 ft·12 sec·Bloomingdale Avenue
51
Turn right onto NY 86
0.5 mi·48 sec·Broadway Street
52
Continue on NY 86
3.0 mi·4 min·Lake Colby Drive
53
Continue on NY 86
2.8 mi·4 min·Harrietstown Road
54
Continue on NY 86
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 86
55
Continue on NY 86
3.7 mi·5 min·Easy Street
56
Turn right onto NY 30
8.9 mi·12 min·Adirondack Trail
57
Turn left onto NY 458
17 mi·25 min·Santa Clara Road
58
Continue on NY 458
4.0 mi·5 min·Santa Clara Road
59
Turn slight left onto NY 458
3.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 458
60
At end of road, turn left onto NY 11B
2.0 mi·2 min·NY 11B
61
Turn right onto County Road 49
1.3 mi·2 min·County Road 49
62
Continue on County Road 49
0.2 mi·23 sec·County Road 49
63
Turn left onto CR 49
5.9 mi·10 min·Hopkinton-Winthrop Road
64
Continue on NY 420
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 420
65
At end of road, turn right onto NY 11C; NY 420
0.1 mi·17 sec·State Highway 11C
66
Turn left onto NY 420
11 mi·16 min·South Main Street
67
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Considering the 8h 10m estimated duration, breaking this 373.1-mile drive into two days is a smart move. Aim to cover roughly half the distance on day one, perhaps stopping around the halfway point of the 111.7-mile stretch on NY 17. You'll want to note that the fuel cost is estimated at $62, so factor that into your budget. Plan for at least two stops to refuel and rest, especially before transitioning from the surface roads of NY 17 to the faster Adirondack Northway.
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 186.5 miles from Gravesend, NY, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 82 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.5 miles or 3h 55m 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 186.5 miles or 3h 55m
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 6h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Massena, 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.
+
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 Gravesend, NY
Aim for roughly 187 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Massena, NY
Aim for roughly 187 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Gravesend, 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 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 43
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
$65.91 one way
$131.82 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$71.31
$142.63
premium
$5.28
$77.50
$155.00
diesel
$6.18
$90.76
$181.53
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
$66
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.9
1
$39.18
$17.91
Efficient EV
93.3
1
$32.65
$14.92
EV Truck/SUV
149.2
1
$52.23
$23.88
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Gravesend, NY
Late night
in Gravesend on Tuesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Clear
NE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Massena, NY
Late night
in Massena on Tuesday
Local time
4:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
SW 9 mph0% 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.
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
1 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
8h 10m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 373.1-mile drive features a 49% highway share. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 111.7 miles on NY 17 where the road is primarily surface streets, likely with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits. After that, the Adirondack Northway will offer more continuous cruising. Expect a noticeable shift from built-up areas to more rural landscapes as you progress north.
Only 49% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
67 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
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 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 43 significant decision points across 373.1 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,068 ft11 ft
Total Climb
2,712 ft
Total Descent
2,494 ft
Highest Point
2,068 ft
~293.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,057 ft
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 Massena, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Keene Valley.
Massena is in upstate New York right on the Saint Lawrence River which forms the border with Canada.
There is a bridge to the Canadian town of Cornwall a few miles downriver. Forty miles (60 km) upriver is another bridge linking Ogdensburg, New York to Prescott, Ontario.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 187 miles on day one.
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.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Massena, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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, 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 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Massena, NY before the return drive.
