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Trip from Ithaca, NY to Bushwick, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 56m

Distance

227.3 mi

366 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 43m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Tompkins County, New York, USA, enclosed by the town of the same name

Ithaca, NY

Wikimedia Commons

neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States

Bushwick, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 227.3-mile drive from Ithaca, NY to Bushwick, NY takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via I-81 and I-380, with a portion of the Keystone Shortway mixed in. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $37. The route offers a mixed driving experience as you traverse the Northeast region, transitioning within New York. Given the duration and distance, planning for a single day is straightforward, allowing for a relatively quick transition between these two points.

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

113.7 miles from Ithaca, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 73.5 mi 1h 28m
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
State Highway 79 15.2 mi 17m
Slaterville Road 11.1 mi 16m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Main Street 3.1 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca, NY and Bushwick, NY.

1

Start on NY 79

64 ft · 6 sec · East Seneca Street
2

Turn right onto North Tioga Street

325 ft · 15 sec · North Tioga Street
3

Turn right onto East Buffalo Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East Buffalo Street
4

Turn right onto Schuyler Place

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Schuyler Place
5

At end of road, turn left onto NY 79

1.1 mi · 2 min · East State Street
6

Continue on NY 79

11 mi · 16 min · Slaterville Road
7

Continue on NY 79

15 mi · 17 min · State Highway 79
8

Continue on NY 79

3.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
9

Turn right onto NY 26

0.6 mi · 47 sec · NY 26
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 81 South
11

Merge onto I 81

20 mi · 24 min · I 81
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
19

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
21

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the straight lane.
26

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
27

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
28

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
30

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec
Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Continue on Beach Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.
32

Continue on West Broadway

0.1 mi · 34 sec · West Broadway
33

Turn right onto Grand Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Grand Street
34

Turn left onto Centre Street

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Centre Street
35

Turn right onto Kenmare Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Kenmare Street
Use the right lane.
36

Continue on Delancey Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Delancey Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
37

Continue on Williamsburg Bridge

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Williamsburg Bridge
38

Keep slight right at fork onto Williamsburg Bridge

0.9 mi · 2 min · Williamsburg Bridge
Toward Staten Island Use the slight right lane.
39

Take the exit

218 ft · 5 sec
Toward Broadway West
40

Keep slight right at fork

356 ft · 19 sec
Toward Staten Island Use the slight right lane.
41

Turn left onto Broadway

1.6 mi · 4 min · Broadway
Use the left lane.
42

Turn slight left onto Myrtle Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Myrtle Avenue
43

Turn right onto Bushwick Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Bushwick Avenue
44

Turn left onto Linden Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Linden Street
45

Arrive at destination

Linden Street

Trip Plan

For this one-day trip covering 227.3 miles, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With a total duration of under five hours, you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel and a break, which can be strategically placed around the longest stretch on I-81. The estimated fuel cost of $37 means you should plan your budget accordingly. Being in the Northeast region, be mindful of potential weather changes, especially if traveling during transitional seasons.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 113.7 miles from Ithaca, NY, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 50 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 113.7 miles or 2h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bushwick, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ithaca, 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 Ithaca, NY

This is one driving day of about 227.3 miles and 4h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Ithaca, 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 73.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat city in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Allentown, PA

114 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.7 miles from Ithaca, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 32

5 decision points cluster between mile 52.1 and 224.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
52.1 mi into trip | ~1h 7m 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
105.5 mi into trip | ~2h 11m 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...
7
217.5 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
217.7 mi into trip | ~4h 31m 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
224.5 mi into trip | ~4h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Staten Island

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Staten Island

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.42 one way

$74.83 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $40.46 $80.92
premium $4.92 $44.06 $88.11
diesel $5.61 $50.18 $100.37

Estimated Tolls: $16.14

Holland Tunnel $16.00
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

$37

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.2 0 $23.87 $10.91
Efficient EV 56.8 0 $19.89 $9.09
EV Truck/SUV 90.9 1 $31.82 $14.55

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Ithaca, NY

Late night in Ithaca on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bushwick, NY

Late night in Bushwick on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

18 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

4h 56m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

National Monument

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 219.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive features a 59% highway share, indicating a good balance between faster-paced travel and other road types. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on I-81, providing a substantial period of consistent highway cruising. The 'mixed drive' profile suggests you'll experience varying road conditions and speeds throughout the 4-hour and 56-minute journey. Expect periods of efficient travel interspersed with segments that may require more attention to local traffic and road layouts.

59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.1 miles in near I 81.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 32 significant decision points across 227.3 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 52.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ithaca, NY and Bushwick, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.

Mt Pocono

105.5 mi in | ~2h 11m | via US 6

Milford

106.2 mi in | ~2h 12m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

197.8 mi in | ~4h 3m

Cr 508 East: Jersey City

214.4 mi in | ~4h 24m

About the Cities

Starting in Ithaca, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1888

Ithaca is a small city in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. In addition to being the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca is known for its several gorges and waterfalls, small eclectic shops and restaurants, and deep interest in politics.

Top landmarks

  • Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art — art museum at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
  • Clinton House — former hotel in Ithaca, New York
  • Andrew Dickson White House — Historic home on campus of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 227.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.5 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.14 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Bushwick, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 52.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Bushwick, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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