Ithaca, NY to Gravesend, NY is 231.9 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, moving from upstate New York towards the New York City metropolitan area. The route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway cruising with some surface road travel. Given the manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, but planning your departure time can help you avoid the heaviest traffic as you approach your destination.
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
116 miles from Ithaca, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m 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
McDonald Avenue
4.1 mi
7m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,211 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,106
Quietest
1 AM
~488 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
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 Ithaca, NY and Gravesend, 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: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
13
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.
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, MilfordUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward 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 47AToward 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 17AToward 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 TunnelUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse 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
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
30
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
31
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
34
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
35
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck
0.2 mi·27 sec·NY 27 Truck
Exit 4Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's MuseumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn right onto NY 27 Truck
262 ft·11 sec·10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
38
Turn left onto NY 27 Truck
4.1 mi·7 min·McDonald Avenue
Use the slight left / right lanes.
39
Turn left onto Avenue U
0.4 mi·59 sec·Avenue U
40
Turn right onto Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·34 sec·Ocean Parkway
41
Continue on Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·40 sec·Ocean Parkway
Use the left lane.
42
Arrive at destination
Ocean Parkway
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider leaving Ithaca in the morning to give yourself ample time to reach Gravesend before evening. The route is manageable enough for a single day, so you can decide on stops as you go. With a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on I 81, you'll have a good opportunity for uninterrupted driving before needing to look for services. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the highway sections, and factor in potential traffic delays as you near Gravesend, NY. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so plan accordingly.
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 116 miles from Ithaca, NY, or about 2h 23m 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116 miles or 2h 23m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gravesend, 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 231.9 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.1 and 226.9 — 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...
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
222.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
8
226.9 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|NY 27 Truck
Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum
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 4
Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Aven...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.97 one way
$81.93 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.86
$44.33
$88.65
premium
$5.28
$48.17
$96.34
diesel
$6.18
$56.41
$112.83
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
$41
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.29
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.47
$14.84
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Ithaca, NY
Morning
in Ithaca on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Scattered Rain Showers
N 13 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
Destination
Gravesend, NY
Morning
in Gravesend on Sunday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Rain Showers Likely
N 14 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:20AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 1:29AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Buffalo NY
39°F
Hawley, PA
116 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
11 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
5h 1m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 223.9
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 223.9
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 223.9
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 223.9
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 223.9
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 231.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 59% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 73.5 miles on I 81. The profile shifts from highway driving to mixed highway and surface roads, so expect fewer exits and a change in pace as you transition. You'll notice the urban merging as you get closer to Gravesend, which is a common characteristic of approaching a major metropolitan area. This indicates a shift from more open road travel to busier conditions.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 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 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 32 significant decision points across 231.9 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 217.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,833 ft7 ft
Total Climb
2,073 ft
Total Descent
2,473 ft
Highest Point
1,833 ft
~120.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,827 ft
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 Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark, Cr 508 East: Jersey City and Manhattan.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 231.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m 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 Gravesend, 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 217.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Governors Island National Monument, African Burial Ground 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gravesend, NY before the return drive.
