This 344.4-mile drive from Hamlin, NY to Brooklyn, NY will take approximately 7 hours and 31 minutes, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll primarily be on I 81 and the New York State Thruway, with a portion on the Keystone Shortway. With a fuel cost estimated at $57 and two recommended stops, this journey through the Northeast region offers a straightforward travel experience. Plan for a turn-heavy local drive feel as you approach your destination. While doable in one day, consider an early start to maximize daylight.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.2 miles from Hamlin, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
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 Hamlin, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 19
4.9 mi·8 min·Lake Road
2
Turn left onto NY 104
2.0 mi·3 min·West Ridge Road
3
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
4
Turn left onto NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
7
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
9
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
12
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
13
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
15
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
17
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
18
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
19
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
20
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
21
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
22
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
23
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
24
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
25
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
26
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
27
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
29
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
31
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.
32
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.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
35
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
37
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
39
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
43
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
44
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
45
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
46
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
48
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
49
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
50
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
51
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
52
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
53
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
54
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
55
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
57
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
58
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 344.4-mile trip, an early morning departure from Hamlin is recommended, especially if you aim to complete it in one day. Factor in the $57 fuel cost and plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps breaking up the nearly 7.5 hours of driving. While the longest stretch is 98.8 miles on I 81, be prepared for the "turn-heavy local drive" profile as you near Brooklyn, which will require more focused navigation. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before setting off, as this route involves a significant amount of driving.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.2 miles from Hamlin, NY, or about 3h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 76 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.2 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hamlin, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hamlin, NY
This is one driving day of about 344.4 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Hamlin, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 70.2 and 337.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
7
167.1 mi into trip|~3h 43m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 46m 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
332.7 mi into trip|~7h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
337.8 mi into trip|~7h 18m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.71 one way
$111.43 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$60.46
$120.92
premium
$4.85
$65.73
$131.47
diesel
$4.80
$65.03
$130.06
Estimated Tolls: $17.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.3
1
$36.16
$16.53
Efficient EV
86.1
0
$30.14
$13.78
EV Truck/SUV
137.8
1
$48.22
$22.04
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hamlin, NY
Night
in Hamlin on Monday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Night
in Brooklyn on Monday
Local time
10:03 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
S 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 20 at 2:37PM EDT until July 22 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 20 at 2:31PM EDT until July 22 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
84°F
Barton, NY
172 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
7h 31m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 332.6
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 332.6
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 332.6
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 332.6
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 332.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mix of driving experiences, with 56% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, particularly as you get closer to Brooklyn. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 98.8 miles on I 81, offering a solid period of consistent travel. Expect the road character to evolve, shifting from more open highway cruising to more intricate local roads, demanding your attention throughout the 7.5-hour journey.
Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 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 70.2 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 41 significant decision points across 344.4 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 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,831 ft49 ft
Total Climb
2,526 ft
Total Descent
2,789 ft
Highest Point
1,831 ft
~246 mi in
Elevation Range
1,782 ft
Notable High Points
1,831 ft at ~246 miles+666 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hamlin, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.
Clyde
70.2 mi in|~1h 30m
Mt Pocono
220.4 mi in|~4h 46m|via US 6
Milford
221.2 mi in|~4h 47m|via I 84; I 380
Newark
312.8 mi in|~6h 38m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 344.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m 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 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.64 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 Brooklyn, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
