Gravesend, NY to Ontario, NY is 326.1 miles and takes about 6h 54m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Most of your travel will be on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll likely want to get an early start to make the most of the daylight and arrive with time to spare.
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
163 miles from Gravesend, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
129.5 mi
2h 33m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
NY 104
26.8 mi
36m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
I 690
8.6 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 129.5 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
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 Gravesend, NY and Ontario, 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
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
24
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
30
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
31
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
66 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: SyracuseUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi·17 sec·I 81
Toward SyracuseUse the straight lane.
35
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi·26 sec·I-81
36
Continue on I 81
2.9 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 690 West: Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the slight right lane.
38
Merge onto I 690
8.6 mi·10 min·I 690
Toward Fairgrounds, BaldwinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NY 690
5.5 mi·6 min·NY 690
40
Take the exit onto NY 31
0.3 mi·36 sec·NY 31
41
Continue on NY 31; NY 370
5.9 mi·8 min·West Genesee Road
Use the straight lane.
42
Continue on NY 370
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
43
Continue on NY 370
1.2 mi·1 min·State Route 370
44
Continue on NY 370
3.6 mi·7 min·Main Street
45
Continue on NY 370
7.9 mi·10 min·State Highway 370
46
Continue on NY 370
2.1 mi·2 min·State Route 370
47
Turn straight onto CR 163
2.2 mi·3 min·Ridge Road
48
Turn left onto NY 104
27 mi·36 min·NY 104
49
Take the exit
465 ft·27 sec
50
Turn straight onto CR 110
0.4 mi·1 min·Furnace Road
51
Turn left onto CR 103
91 ft·2 sec·Ridge Road
52
Arrive at destination
CR 103
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Gravesend early in the morning, around 7 AM, to avoid the worst of any commuter traffic and ensure you arrive in Ontario with daylight. The 6 hour and 54 minute drive time means you can comfortably complete this in one day. You'll have one main stretch of highway driving for 129.5 miles on I 81, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 129.5-mile mark on I 81, as services can be spaced out on longer highway stretches.
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 163 miles from Gravesend, NY, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.5 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 72 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 27m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ontario, 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 326.1 miles and 6h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 I 81 for about 129.5 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 13.6 — 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...
7
10.1 mi into trip|~21m in|Hudson Street
Turn left onto Hudson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
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
7
13.6 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.75 one way
$105.51 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$57.25
$114.49
premium
$4.85
$62.24
$124.48
diesel
$4.80
$61.57
$123.15
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
$53
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
Efficient EV
81.5
0
$28.53
$13.04
EV Truck/SUV
130.4
1
$45.65
$20.87
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Gravesend, NY
Late night
in Gravesend on Monday
Local time
3:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Areas Of Smoke
SW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ontario, NY
Late night
in Ontario on Monday
Local time
3:38 AM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
163 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
4 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
6h 54m 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.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 72% of the 326.1 miles on major roads like I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 129.5 miles on I 81 without needing to exit. Expect a good number of exits and traffic as you navigate through more populated areas, especially at the beginning of your trip.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 35 significant decision points across 326.1 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 10.1 miles (Hudson Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,863 ft11 ft
Total Climb
2,150 ft
Total Descent
1,717 ft
Highest Point
1,863 ft
~116.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,852 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 Ontario, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany, Syracuse, Baldwinsville and Fairgrounds.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 54m. Total distance: 326.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.5 miles on I 81. 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.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Ontario, 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 33 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 10.1 miles (Hudson Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Stonewall National Monument and Castle Clinton 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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ontario, NY before the return drive.
