Gravesend, NY to Penfield, NY is 321.7 miles and takes about 6h 57m via I 81 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, traveling from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. While the majority of the driving involves highways, you'll also navigate some surface roads. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration suggests it's manageable without an overnight stay. It's a straightforward route for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
160.8 miles from Gravesend, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Penfield, 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
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
34
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
35
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
36
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
37
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
38
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
39
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
40
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
41
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
42
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
43
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
44
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
45
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
46
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
47
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
48
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
49
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
50
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
51
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
52
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
53
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
54
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
55
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
56
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
57
Continue on I 490
7.6 mi·8 min·Eastern Expressway
58
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 25Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East RochesterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Keep slight right at fork
199 ft·4 sec
Toward NY 31F East: Fairport
60
Turn straight onto NY 31F
0.3 mi·43 sec·Fairport Road
61
Turn left onto NY 153
1.0 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
62
Turn right onto CR 15
0.6 mi·1 min·East Linden Avenue
Use the right lane.
63
At end of road, turn left onto CR 17
0.2 mi·20 sec·Whitney Road
64
Continue on CR 18
0.5 mi·1 min·Five Mile Line Road
65
Turn right onto NY 441
121 ft·2 sec·Penfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
66
Arrive at destination
NY 441
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 57m estimated drive time, leaving Gravesend, NY in the morning will allow you to reach Penfield, NY with daylight to spare. While it's a single-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch and refuel, especially since the longest stretch without a significant break is 97.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $53, and planning your fill-ups around this figure can help manage your budget. The mix of highway and surface roads means you'll need to adjust your speed and awareness accordingly as you transition between them.
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 160.8 miles from Gravesend, NY, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 71 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.8 miles or 3h 24m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Penfield, 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 321.7 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 97.3 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 48
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 318.9 — 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
8
318.9 mi into trip|~6h 50m in
Take the exit toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
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 25
Toward NY 31F: Fairport, East Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.31 one way
$112.62 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$61.02
$122.04
premium
$5.23
$66.24
$132.48
diesel
$6.28
$79.49
$158.98
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$56
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.5
1
$33.78
$15.44
Efficient EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
EV Truck/SUV
128.7
1
$45.04
$20.59
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 21, 2026
Origin
Gravesend, NY
Night
in Gravesend on Thursday
Local time
10:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
N 15 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Penfield, NY
Night
in Penfield on Thursday
Local time
10:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear
E 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Barton, NY
161 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
13 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 57m 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 split between highways and surface roads, with 52% of the route on major highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 97.3 miles on I 81, offering a good opportunity for consistent cruising. Beyond that, expect to navigate surface roads for the remainder of your trip. The highway portion likely means frequent exits and potential for merging traffic, especially near urban areas before transitioning to more open surface road driving.
Only 52% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
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 48 significant decision points across 321.7 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 10.1 miles (Hudson Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,840 ft11 ft
Total Climb
2,167 ft
Total Descent
1,757 ft
Highest Point
1,840 ft
~114.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,829 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 Penfield, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah and Albany.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 321.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m 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 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.52 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 36 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 Penfield, 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 36 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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Penfield, NY before the return drive.
