Skip to main content

Trip from Leicester, NY to Brooklyn, NY

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

6h 45m

Distance

323.3 mi

520 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 34m ★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 54m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 38m

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

city in Leicestershire, East Midlands, England

Leicester, NY

Wikimedia Commons

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Brooklyn, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Leicester, NY to Brooklyn, NY is 323.3 miles and takes about 6h 45m via Southern Tier Expressway, Keystone Shortway, and I 81, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, connecting two points in New York State. With over three-quarters of the drive on highways, expect a relatively straightforward transit. This route is a solid option for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay if you depart with ample daylight. It's a practical way to cover the distance efficiently.

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

161.6 miles from Leicester, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 104.5 mi 2h 2m
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
Genesee Expressway 32.6 mi 37m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
Sonyea Road 4.1 mi 7m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 104.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leicester, NY and Brooklyn, NY.

1

Start on South Parkway

0.1 mi · 33 sec · South Parkway
2

Turn right onto NY 36

2.5 mi · 3 min · Mount Morris Road
3

Continue on NY 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
4

Continue on NY 36

4.1 mi · 7 min · Sonyea Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
6

Merge onto I 390

33 mi · 37 min · Genesee Expressway
7

Merge onto I 86

105 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Southern Tier Expressway
8

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.
9

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.
10

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.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
12

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
13

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
15

Continue on I 280

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

Take the exit

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

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the straight lane.
22

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
23

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
24

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

1.9 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
26

Take the exit

428 ft · 14 sec
Toward NY 9A
27

Turn slight left onto Laight Street

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
28

At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Street
Use the straight lane.
29

Take the exit

2.6 mi · 5 min
Exit 2 Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn Use the left lane.
30

Continue on I 278

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Gowanus Expressway
31

Take the exit onto NY 27

1.5 mi · 2 min · NY 27
Exit 24 Toward NY 27 East: Prospect Expressway Use the slight left / straight lanes.
32

Take the exit onto NY 27

0.4 mi · 47 sec · NY 27
Exit 5 Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical Center Use the slight right lane.
33

Turn left onto NY 27

1.2 mi · 2 min · Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Continue on NY 27

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
35

Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Nostrand Avenue
36

Arrive at destination

Nostrand Avenue

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour, 45-minute drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you near Brooklyn. The $53 fuel cost is based on the 323.3-mile distance, so factor that into your budget. While the drive is manageable in one day, breaks are still important; plan for at least one stop, perhaps around the halfway point or where services are readily available. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major interchange is over 100 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.6 miles from Leicester, NY, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 71 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.6 miles or 3h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 18m

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 Leicester, 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 Leicester, NY

This is one driving day of about 323.3 miles and 6h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Leicester, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Binghamton, NY

162 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.

Popular next leg

Binghamton, NY to Brooklyn, NY

182.2 mi · 3h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Corning, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.6 miles from Leicester, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Southern Tier Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.5 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 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 145.9 and 316.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
145.9 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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
199.3 mi into trip | ~4h 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
311.4 mi into trip | ~6h 19m 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
311.6 mi into trip | ~6h 20m 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
316.7 mi into trip | ~6h 32m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.22 one way

$106.43 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $57.54 $115.09
premium $4.92 $62.66 $125.32
diesel $5.61 $71.38 $142.76

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

$53

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$94–$119

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97 1 $33.95 $15.52
Efficient EV 80.8 0 $28.29 $12.93
EV Truck/SUV 129.3 1 $45.26 $20.69

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% 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 Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Leicester, NY

Morning in Leicester on Tuesday

Local time

9:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn, NY

Morning in Brooklyn on Tuesday

Local time

9:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

55°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

9 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 74% of the route utilizing major expressways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway before needing to navigate other routes. The transition from highway to potentially more varied road types will happen as you approach your destination. Expect numerous exits and potential for merging traffic as you get closer to the New York City metropolitan area.

74% 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: 104.5 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 145.9 miles in near I 81.

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 25 significant decision points across 323.3 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 145.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Leicester, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Mt Pocono

199.3 mi in | ~4h | via US 6

Milford

200.1 mi in | ~4h 1m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

291.7 mi in | ~5h 52m

About the Cities

Arriving in Brooklyn, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1634

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

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 6h 45m. Total distance: 323.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 145.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Leicester, NY or browse trips ending in Brooklyn, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.