Kirkwood, NY to The Bronx, NY is 172.9 miles and takes about 3h 32m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York state, moving from the Northeast region down towards the more populous areas. Expect a mixed drive that's manageable for a single day, making it a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for those looking for efficiency.
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
86.5 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
80 mi
1h 37m
I 81
48.4 mi
57m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
Cross Bronx Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
I 95 EXPR
1.1 mi
1m
Fort Lee Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 80 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkwood, NY and The Bronx, 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
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
14
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
16
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
17
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
19
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
21
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
23
Continue on I 95; US 1
2.9 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
26
Turn right onto Noble Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Noble Avenue
27
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Bronx River Avenue
28
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
29
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 32m estimated duration, leaving Kirkwood, NY in the morning should allow you to reach The Bronx with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along I 81 or I 380 for a quick break or to refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $28, so keep this in mind for your budget. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the transition from I 81 to I 380, as this is where the road character changes and traffic can become more dynamic.
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 86.5 miles from Kirkwood, NY, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 86.5 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Bronx, 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 32m.
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 80 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 48.9 and 171.3 — 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
158 mi into trip|~3h 8m in|I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Lev...
8
163.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
163.7 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
7
171.3 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward Rosedale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward Rosedale Avenue
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: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$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
$28
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
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.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Kirkwood, NY
Morning
in Kirkwood on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Morning
in The Bronx on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Rain Showers
N 5 to 16 mph96% chanceLive forecast
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
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
3h 32m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
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...
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 167
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 167
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 167
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 47% of it on highways, so you'll experience both faster-paced sections and potentially more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is about 80 miles along the Keystone Shortway, providing a good period of consistent travel. The transition between I 81 and I 380 will likely shift the feel of the drive, possibly introducing more varied terrain or traffic patterns as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a blend of interstate cruising and potentially more winding or slower sections.
47% 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: 80 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 21 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 158 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.4 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 The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, New York City, Leonia and Teaneck.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 172.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 The Bronx, 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 158 miles (I 80 / Christopher Columbus Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at The Bronx, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
