Lysander, NY to Gravesend, NY is 278.5 miles and takes about 5h 57m via I 81 and I 380, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traversing New York. With most of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward connection between these two points. It's set up as a single-day excursion, making it a convenient option for a quick transit.
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
139.2 miles from Lysander, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
128.7 mi
2h 32m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
I 690
8.7 mi
10m
NY 31
5.9 mi
7m
West Genesee Road
4.4 mi
6m
McDonald Avenue
4.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 98 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,254 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,020
Quietest
1 AM
~471 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
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 Lysander, NY and Gravesend, NY.
1
Start on Lamson Road
66 ft·5 sec·Lamson Road
2
Turn right onto Plainville Road
3.4 mi·8 min·Plainville Road
3
Turn left onto NY 370
4.4 mi·6 min·West Genesee Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit onto NY 31
5.9 mi·7 min·NY 31
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on I 690
8.7 mi·10 min·I 690
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 81 South: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 81
2.8 mi·4 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I-81
0.8 mi·48 sec·I-81
9
Continue on I 81
73 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
15
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
17
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
19
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
24
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
25
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
26
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
28
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
29
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
30
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
32
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
33
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.0 mi·1 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
34
Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck
0.2 mi·27 sec·NY 27 Truck
Exit 4Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's MuseumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn right onto NY 27 Truck
262 ft·11 sec·10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto NY 27 Truck
4.1 mi·7 min·McDonald Avenue
Use the slight left / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto Avenue U
0.4 mi·59 sec·Avenue U
38
Turn right onto Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·34 sec·Ocean Parkway
39
Continue on Ocean Parkway
0.1 mi·40 sec·Ocean Parkway
Use the left lane.
40
Arrive at destination
Ocean Parkway
Trip Plan
For this 5h 57m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your schedule. Consider filling up your tank before you leave Lysander, as the fuel cost is estimated at $45. The longest stretch without a major road change is 128.7 miles on I 81, so plan a brief stop before or after that segment if you need to stretch your legs.
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 139.2 miles from Lysander, NY, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 61 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gravesend, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lysander, 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 Lysander, NY
This is one driving day of about 278.5 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Lysander, 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 128.7 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 273.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.7 mi into trip|~14m in|NY 31
Take the exit onto NY 31
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
9
152 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
264.3 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
269.3 mi into trip|~5h 38m 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
8
273.5 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|NY 27 Truck
Take the exit onto NY 27 Truck toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Avenue, Jewish Children's Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum
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 4
Toward NY 27 East TRUCK: 10th Avenue, 11th Aven...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.05 one way
$90.11 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$48.89
$97.78
premium
$4.85
$53.16
$106.31
diesel
$4.80
$52.59
$105.17
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
$45
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.6
1
$29.24
$13.37
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.37
$11.14
EV Truck/SUV
111.4
1
$38.99
$17.82
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lysander, NY
Afternoon
in Lysander on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 1 to 6 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Gravesend, NY
Afternoon
in Gravesend on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Smoke
S 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
84°F
Greene, NY
139 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
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
5h 57m 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.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 268.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 69% of the 278.5 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 128.7 miles on I 81, which is a significant portion of the drive without needing to exit. As you move away from the highway sections, expect more surface road driving.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 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 7.7 miles in near NY 31.
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 30 significant decision points across 278.5 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 7.7 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 264.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,799 ft11 ft
Total Climb
2,753 ft
Total Descent
3,158 ft
Highest Point
1,799 ft
~184.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,788 ft
Notable High Points
1,629 ft at ~123.1 miles+549 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lysander, NY and Gravesend, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 278.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 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 Gravesend, 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 7.7 miles (NY 31): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 264.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gravesend, NY before the return drive.
