Traveling from Jay to Brooklyn covers 295.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 17 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the trip. Navigating this route involves a combination of Highway 9N, Highway 73, and I-87 South. Whether you are heading back to the city or exploring the Northeast, this path provides a direct link between the Adirondacks and the five boroughs. It is a straightforward trip that balances local road navigation with major highway travel.
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
145.1 miles from Jay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
Adirondack Northway
103.7 mi
2h 1m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
State Highway 73
11.5 mi
16m
State Highway 9N
11.5 mi
17m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
US 9
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 87
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jay, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 9N
11 mi·17 min·State Highway 9N
2
Continue on NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
3
Turn straight onto US 9
2.1 mi·2 min·US 9
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 87 South
5
Merge onto I 87
104 mi·2 hr 1 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
11
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
13
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
18
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
19
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
21
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
22
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
23
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
25
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
26
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.
27
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.
28
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 17-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the technical local sections. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid fatigue while navigating the turn-heavy portions of the route. Keep in mind that because this is a local-heavy drive, your pace will fluctuate more than it would on a strictly interstate route. Since you are budgeting $47 for fuel, consider filling up before hitting the more remote stretches of Highway 9N to ensure you aren't searching for a station when prices are higher. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your one planned stop to stretch your legs before you hit the heavier traffic closer to Brooklyn.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.1 miles from Jay, NY, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 64 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
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 Jay, 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 Jay, NY
This is one driving day of about 290.3 miles and 6h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Jay, 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 87 for about 118.6 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 129.1 and 283.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
9
247.7 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
249 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
278.9 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
283.6 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
$47.79 one way
$95.57 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$51.67
$103.34
premium
$4.92
$56.27
$112.53
diesel
$5.61
$64.09
$128.19
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.48
$13.93
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.40
$11.61
EV Truck/SUV
116.1
1
$40.64
$18.58
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Jay, NY
Afternoon
in Jay on Sunday
Local time
1:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Afternoon
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
1:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
16 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
6h 1m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 280.3
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 280.3
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 280.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you depart the Adirondack region. You will spend your time navigating winding sections on Highway 9N and Highway 73 before transitioning onto the more standard I-87 South. With a highway share of 0%, the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The character of the road shifts significantly from technical, local curves to the more predictable flow of the interstate as you head south. This variation keeps the drive engaging, though it differs greatly from the monotonous grind of a pure interstate route.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.6 mi on I 87.
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 129.1 miles in near I 87.
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 290.3 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 129.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,519 ft9 ft
Total Climb
1,395 ft
Total Descent
2,042 ft
Highest Point
1,519 ft
~20.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,510 ft
Notable High Points
1,519 ft at ~20.7 miles+585 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jay, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
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 6h 1m. Total distance: 290.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 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 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 129.1 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 247.7 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
