Hudson, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 116.3 miles and takes about 2h 25m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll mostly be on surface roads, with a significant portion on the New York State Thruway. It's a straightforward drive that's manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.1 miles from Hudson, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
83.1 mi
1h 35m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
2.4 mi
3m
State Highway 23
1.8 mi
2m
I 95 EXPR
1.5 mi
2m
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
1.3 mi
2m
NY 17
0.9 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Hudson, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on Warren Street
82 ft·11 sec·Warren Street
2
Turn left onto NY 9G; NY 23B
0.8 mi·2 min·South 3rd Street
3
Continue on NY 9G; NY 23B
2.0 mi·2 min·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
4
Take the ramp
341 ft·6 sec
Toward NY 9G, NY 23 West
5
Merge onto NY 9G; NY 23
0.4 mi·33 sec·Rhinebeck-Hudson Road
Use the right lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto NY 23
10 ft·0 sec·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
7
Continue on NY 23
1.3 mi·2 min·Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
8
Continue on NY 23
1.8 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87: Jefferson Heights, Leeds
10
Turn right onto CR 23B
0.3 mi·44 sec·CR 23B
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward NYST, I 87
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·28 sec·this road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 South: NY City
14
Merge onto I 87
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
20
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
25
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
26
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
0.2 mi·42 sec·US 9
Toward West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·34 sec·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of about 2 hours and 25 minutes, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid heavier traffic, especially as you get closer to Washington Heights. Plan for one brief stop for fuel or a stretch break; the $19 estimated fuel cost suggests you won't need to refuel multiple times. Keep an eye on the New York State Thruway for potential traffic delays, as it's the primary artery for the first 83.1 miles of your route.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.1 miles from Hudson, NY, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.1 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hudson, 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 Hudson, NY
This is one driving day of about 116.3 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Hudson, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 83.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 115.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in|NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Enter roundabout onto NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill
9
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|NY 17
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 66
Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
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 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 178th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.90 one way
$37.80 round trip
$4.13/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.47
$20.46
$40.92
premium
$4.87
$22.28
$44.56
diesel
$5.40
$24.74
$49.48
Estimated Tolls: $20.16
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(83.1 mi)$4.16
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
$19
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Efficient EV
29.1
0
$10.18
$4.65
EV Truck/SUV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 25, 2026
Origin
Hudson, NY
Night
in Hudson on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Night
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
9:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain Showers
E 10 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 25 at 1:03PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
10 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
2h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 116.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 22% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch covering 83.1 miles on the New York State Thruway. After this highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect to encounter urban merging patterns as you approach your destination. The profile is mostly surface roads, indicating a significant portion of the drive will involve navigating local streets and traffic signals.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 3.2 miles in near NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge.
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 21 significant decision points across 116.3 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 3.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hudson, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Nyst, Leeds, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 116.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $20.16 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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.
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 Washington Heights, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (NY 23 / Rip Van Winkle Bridge): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 90.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Washington Heights, NY before heading back.
