Origin
Inwood, NY
Morning in Inwood on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Inwood, NY to New York City, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
26m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Inwood, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Inwood to New York City is a quick 12.3-mile trip that typically takes about 26 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, this is a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical commute within the Northeast region. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including the Henry Hudson Parkway and West Street, to transition you from the outskirts into the heart of the city. Whether you are heading in for work or a quick visit, the simplicity of this drive allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| 12th Avenue | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| West Street | 1.8 mi | 5m |
| West Side Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 11th Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Chambers Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Riverside Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Duane Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Henry Hudson Parkway
— 6.6 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inwood, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on US 9
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
Broadway
2
Turn slight right onto Riverside Drive
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Riverside Drive
Use the slight right lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Continue on NY 9A
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Side Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on NY 9A
1.8 mi
·
5 min
·
12th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on NY 9A
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue
8
Continue on NY 9A
1.8 mi
·
5 min
·
West Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Chambers Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Chambers Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto Church Street
458 ft
·
25 sec
·
Church Street
11
Turn right onto Duane Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Duane Street
12
Turn right onto Broadway
379 ft
·
18 sec
·
Broadway
13
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 12.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Battery Park
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway
Merge onto HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
11.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Chambers Street
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Duane Street
Turn right onto Duane Street
Navigation decision point
5
12.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
Broadway
Turn right onto Broadway
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.02 one way
$4.05 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $2.19 | $4.38 |
| premium | $4.92 | $2.38 | $4.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.72 | $5.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from parkway speeds to city street navigation. With 54% of the journey spent on highways, you will spend the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 6.6 miles on the Henry Hudson Parkway. As you move from the parkway onto 12th Avenue and West Street, the pace shifts to reflect a typical urban environment. This combination of high-speed transit and local roads ensures that no part of the drive feels monotonous, though you should remain alert to the changing traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 6.6 mi on Henry Hudson Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.3 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
67 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
75 ft
Total Descent
65 ft
Highest Point
67 ft
~1.8 mi in
Elevation Range
61 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Inwood, NY
Full guide →Arriving in New York City, NY
Full guide →“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation. From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
- • Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
- • National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
- • Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
This is a super easy same-day round trip, clocking in at just 12.3 miles and 26 minutes. You'll spend almost no time driving and plenty of time exploring NYC.
Family Friendly
With a short 12.3-mile drive and only 26 minutes of travel time, this route is definitely manageable for families. The mostly flat terrain and moderate 5/10 complexity mean less stress for everyone.
Solo Traveler
This 12.3-mile, 26-minute drive is a breeze for a solo traveler, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy your destination. You can easily do this in a few hours, round trip.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
This 12.3-mile, 26-minute route is a great option for first-time drivers. The 54% highway usage is straightforward, and the 5/10 complexity means you won't feel overwhelmed.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 6.6 miles on Henry Hudson Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (HH; NY 9A / Henry Hudson Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.7 miles (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, General Grant National Memorial and Castle Clinton National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New York City, NY before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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