LaFayette to Manhattan is 243.6 miles and takes about 4h 56m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily travels within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New York. The route is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from upstate New York to the city.
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
121.8 miles from LaFayette, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
117.8 mi
2h 19m
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Henry Hudson Parkway
4.2 mi
6m
I 84
3.7 mi
4m
I 95 EXPR
1.1 mi
1m
Fort Lee Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 117.8 mi, about 2h 19m
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 LaFayette, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on US 11
63 ft·7 sec·Route 11
2
Turn right onto US 20
0.3 mi·47 sec·Cherry Valley Turnpike
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 81 South
4
Merge onto I 81
64 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
6
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.
7
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.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
10
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
16
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
18
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
19
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
21
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
23
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
24
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.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
27
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
31
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
32
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of under five hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving LaFayette in the morning should get you into Manhattan with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop to break up the 117.8-mile stretch on I 81. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $40, and gas stations can become less frequent on certain highway sections.
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 121.8 miles from LaFayette, NY, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.8 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 54 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.8 miles or 2h 25m 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 57m
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 LaFayette, 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 LaFayette, NY
This is one driving day of about 243.6 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from LaFayette, 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 117.8 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.4 and 237.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
233 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
233.3 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
237.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m 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...
8
237.6 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.41 one way
$78.82 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$42.76
$85.53
premium
$4.85
$46.49
$92.99
diesel
$4.80
$46.00
$91.99
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
$39
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.1
0
$25.58
$11.69
Efficient EV
60.9
0
$21.32
$9.74
EV Truck/SUV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
LaFayette, NY
Morning
in LaFayette on Monday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning
in Manhattan on Monday
Local time
6:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
9 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
4h 56m 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.
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 243.6
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 243.6
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 243.6
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 243.6
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 243.6
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 243.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 62% of the 243.6 miles on major roads like I 81 and I 380. You'll encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving on I 81, covering 117.8 miles. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising before transitioning to more varied road conditions closer to Manhattan.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.4 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 26 significant decision points across 243.6 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 118.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,904 ft67 ft
Total Climb
1,603 ft
Total Descent
2,629 ft
Highest Point
1,904 ft
~139.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,837 ft
Notable High Points
1,904 ft at ~139.2 miles+608 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between LaFayette, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward 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 4h 56m. Total distance: 243.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.8 miles on I 81. 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.
Yes — we found about 23 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Manhattan, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
