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Trip from Lansing, NY to New York City, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 51m

Distance

226.4 mi

364 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 38m ★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Ingham County, Eaton County and Clinton County, Michigan, USA and Michigan federated state capital city

Lansing, NY

Wikimedia Commons

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Lansing, NY to New York City, NY is 226.4 miles and takes about 4h 51m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, moving from New York into the greater metropolitan area. It's a straightforward trip that primarily utilizes major interstate highways. Expect a fairly quick transit time, making it a good option for a single-day excursion rather than requiring an overnight stop.

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

113.2 miles from Lansing, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 73.5 mi 1h 28m
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
State Highway 79 15.2 mi 17m
Slaterville Road 4.8 mi 6m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
State Route 13 3.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 73.5 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on Dart Drive

0.8 mi · 2 min · Dart Drive
2

Turn right onto Warren Road

381 ft · 10 sec · Warren Road
3

Turn left onto NY 13

3.3 mi · 4 min · State Route 13
Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Turn right onto NY 366

1.1 mi · 1 min · Dryden Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Turn slight left onto CR 161

1.3 mi · 2 min · Turkey Hill Road
6

Turn left onto Ellis Hollow Creek Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Creek Road
7

Turn left onto CR 164

2.4 mi · 5 min · Ellis Hollow Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto NY 79

4.8 mi · 6 min · Slaterville Road
9

Continue on NY 79

15 mi · 17 min · State Highway 79
10

Continue on NY 79

3.1 mi · 3 min · Main Street
11

Turn right onto NY 26

0.6 mi · 47 sec · NY 26
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 81 South
13

Merge onto I 81

20 mi · 24 min · I 81
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81
Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6
Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
18

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
19

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
21

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
23

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
26

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the straight lane.
28

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
29

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
30

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
32

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec
Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.
34

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the straight lane.
36

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

For this 4h 51m drive, starting in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach your destination. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major change in highway is 73.5 miles on I 81, so plan your first stop around that point if you need fuel or a break. Fuel costs are estimated at $37, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to New York City, especially during peak hours.

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 113.2 miles from Lansing, NY, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.5 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 113.2 miles or 2h 24m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lansing, 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 Lansing, NY

This is one driving day of about 226.4 miles and 4h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Lansing, 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 73.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

City of Scranton, PA

113 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.2 miles from Lansing, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.1 and 221.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | NY 366 / Dryden Road

Turn right onto NY 366 / Dryden Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
56.1 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
109.5 mi into trip | ~2h 19m 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
221.6 mi into trip | ~4h 39m 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
221.8 mi into trip | ~4h 39m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.27 one way

$74.53 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $40.30 $80.59
premium $4.92 $43.88 $87.76
diesel $5.61 $49.99 $99.97

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

$37

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.9 0 $23.77 $10.87
Efficient EV 56.6 0 $19.81 $9.06
EV Truck/SUV 90.6 1 $31.70 $14.49

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Lansing, NY

Morning in Lansing on Tuesday

Local time

10:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Tuesday

Local time

10:44 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live 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

5 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 51m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 61% of the drive on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.5 miles on I 81 before needing to navigate other highways like the Keystone Shortway and I 380. Given the highway percentage, anticipate a significant amount of time cruising at higher speeds, with fewer exits for extended periods. Be prepared for potential merging traffic as you approach the New York City area.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.5 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 4.1 miles in near NY 366 / Dryden Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 27 significant decision points across 226.4 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 4.1 miles (NY 366 / Dryden Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles (US 6): 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 Lansing, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Mt Pocono

109.5 mi in | ~2h 19m | via US 6

Milford

110.3 mi in | ~2h 20m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

201.9 mi in | ~4h 11m

About the Cities

Arriving in New York City, NY

Full guide →

“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624

New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation. From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.

Top landmarks

  • Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
  • Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 51m. Total distance: 226.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.5 miles on I 81. 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 New York City, 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 4.1 miles (NY 366 / Dryden Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.1 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at New York City, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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