Traveling from Kirkwood to Brooklyn covers 173 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. This journey is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it remains a budget-friendly way to navigate across New York State. You will transition from the quiet surroundings of the Northeast region near Kirkwood into the dense urban environment of Brooklyn. Because this is a direct route with no planned stops, you can expect to stay focused on the road for the duration of the trip. It is a straightforward transit that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.4 miles from Kirkwood, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 81
48.4 mi
57m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
2 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
NY 27
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkwood, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on CR 20
0.2 mi·28 sec·Conklin-Kirkwood Bridge
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
3
Merge onto I 81
48 mi·57 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
4
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.
5
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.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
8
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
10
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
12
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight 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
Planning your departure is essential for this 3-hour and 13-minute trek, as local road conditions can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. Since there are no scheduled stops in the itinerary, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out, keeping that $27 fuel budget in mind for your planning. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the total duration is relatively short, you can adjust your start time to avoid the heaviest local traffic pulses. A concrete tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on your GPS, as the lack of major highway mileage means you will be relying on local turn-by-turn navigation for the entire 173-mile journey.
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 86.4 miles from Kirkwood, NY, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
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 Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, NY
This is one driving day of about 172.9 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Kirkwood, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 63.3 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.9 and 169.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
48.9 mi into trip|~58m 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
160.9 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
161.2 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
166.2 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
7
169.3 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|NY 27
Take the exit onto NY 27 toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 24
Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.46 one way
$56.92 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$30.77
$61.55
premium
$4.92
$33.51
$67.02
diesel
$5.61
$38.17
$76.35
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
$28
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.15
$8.30
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Kirkwood, NY
Morning
in Kirkwood on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Morning
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
11:11 AM
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
49°F
Ramapo, NY
86 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
14 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
3h 43m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 166.9
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
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 166.9
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
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 166.9
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 166.9
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 166.9
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 166.9
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires frequent navigation adjustments as you move toward the city. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be cruising on long, high-speed stretches of pavement. Instead, the character of the road is defined by its technical nature and the constant interaction with local traffic patterns. You will find that the rhythm of the drive changes significantly as you leave the rural setting of Kirkwood and enter the increasingly complex infrastructure leading into Brooklyn.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 48.9 miles in near US 6.
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 23 significant decision points across 172.9 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 48.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kirkwood, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark, Cr 508 East: Jersey City and Manhattan.
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 3h 43m. Total distance: 172.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 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 48.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castle Clinton National Monument, African Burial Ground 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Brooklyn, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
