Kendall, NY to Manhattan, NY is 351.4 miles and takes about 7h 28m via I 81 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York State on a mix of major highways and surface roads. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking to get to Manhattan without an overnight stop. Plan for a straightforward transit, focusing on efficient 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
175.7 miles from Kendall, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Kendall, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on CR 1
53 ft·6 sec·Kenmore Road
2
Turn left onto NY 237
4.0 mi·5 min·Kendall Road
3
Turn left onto NY 104; NY 237
8.6 mi·12 min·Ridge Road
4
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
5
Turn left onto NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
8
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
10
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
13
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
14
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
16
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
18
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
19
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
20
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
21
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
22
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
23
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
25
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
26
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
27
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
28
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
30
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
32
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.
33
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.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
35
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
36
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
42
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
44
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
45
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
47
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
49
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
50
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.
51
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
53
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
57
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
58
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
59
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, an early morning departure from Kendall is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays closer to Manhattan. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively, perhaps one around the halfway point for a longer break and another for a quick fuel top-off. The longest stretch without a major change is 98.8 miles on I 81, so be sure to have ample fuel before entering that segment. Given the single-day feasibility, you have flexibility in pacing, but keeping an eye on the estimated fuel cost of $58 can help with budgeting.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.7 miles from Kendall, NY, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 77 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.7 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kendall, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kendall, NY
This is one driving day of about 351.4 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Kendall, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 43
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.9 and 344.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
226.2 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
340.8 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
341 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
344.9 mi into trip|~7h 16m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.85 one way
$113.69 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$61.69
$123.38
premium
$4.85
$67.07
$134.14
diesel
$4.80
$66.35
$132.70
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$57
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.4
1
$36.90
$16.87
Efficient EV
87.9
1
$30.75
$14.06
EV Truck/SUV
140.6
1
$49.20
$22.49
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Kendall, NY
Evening
in Kendall on Monday
Local time
8:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Smoke
E 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Evening
in Manhattan on Monday
Local time
8:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
176 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
3 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
7h 28m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 96.9
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 351.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features 51% highway driving. You'll experience a significant stretch of 98.8 miles on I 81, offering a period of consistent speed. As you move away from the major interstate sections, expect the profile to shift to mostly surface roads, which will likely involve more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic. You'll notice the transition from wide-open highway cruising to more built-up areas with frequent exits and intersections.
Only 51% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
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 75.9 miles in.
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 43 significant decision points across 351.4 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 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,827 ft107 ft
Total Climb
2,478 ft
Total Descent
2,711 ft
Highest Point
1,827 ft
~251 mi in
Elevation Range
1,721 ft
Notable High Points
1,827 ft at ~251 miles+862 ft prominence
975 ft at ~301.2 miles+660 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kendall, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono and Milford.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 28m. Total distance: 351.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.50 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.
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 Manhattan, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.2 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 340.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, NY before the return drive.
