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Trip from Machias, NY to Manhattan, 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

7h 20m

Distance

363.1 mi

584 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 10m ★
6 AM
7h 21m
8 AM
7h 42m
10 AM
7h 28m
12 PM
7h 26m
3 PM
7h 29m
5 PM
7h 41m
8 PM
7h 14m

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

Downtown Machias, NY, NY

Machias, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 363.1-mile drive from Machias, NY, to Manhattan, NY, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes of pure driving time. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 72% of it on major expressways, making it a straightforward journey across New York State. With an estimated fuel cost of $60 and just two recommended stops, it's an efficient option if you're looking to get to your destination without a significant time commitment. This trip keeps you within the Northeast region throughout its entirety. Consider an early morning start to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

181.5 miles from Machias, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Southern Tier Expressway 164.5 mi 3h 11m
Keystone Shortway 80 mi 1h 37m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
State Highway 16 10.6 mi 15m
Main Street 7.8 mi 11m
Christopher Columbus Highway 5.5 mi 5m
Henry Hudson Parkway 4.2 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Southern Tier Expressway — 164.5 mi, about 3h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Machias, NY and Manhattan, NY.

1

Start on NY 16

1.9 mi · 2 min · Main Street
2

Continue on NY 16

3.9 mi · 5 min · State Highway 16
3

Continue on NY 16; NY 98

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
4

Continue on NY 16; NY 98

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
5

Continue on NY 16; NY 98

5.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 16
6

Continue on NY 16

5.8 mi · 8 min · Main Street
7

Continue on NY 16

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 16
8

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
9

Merge onto I 86; NY 17

164 mi · 3 hr 11 min · Southern Tier Expressway
10

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.
11

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.
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, Milford Use the straight lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
15

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue
21

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street
23

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
24

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
26

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
28

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
29

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9
Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown Use the straight lane.
32

Merge onto HH; NY 9A

4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

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 Technology Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34

Continue on West 79th Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35

Turn left onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Broadway
36

Turn right onto West 86th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 86th Street
37

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side Use the straight / left lanes.
38

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

Given the 7 hour and 20 minute estimated drive time, starting your trip from Machias, NY, early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid the worst of potential traffic, particularly as you near Manhattan. With only two suggested stops, plan them strategically for fuel and a brief break to stay refreshed. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 164.5 miles, so be sure to take advantage of earlier opportunities to stretch your legs. Factor in the $60 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip. The highway-focused nature means most of the driving is on the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before longer stretches.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.5 miles from Machias, NY, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.5 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 181.5 miles or 3h 38m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 1m

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 Machias, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Machias, NY

This is one driving day of about 363.1 miles and 7h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Machias, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 164.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in New York, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cortland, NY

182 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

Howard, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 181.5 miles from Machias, 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 164.5 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

0.5 mi

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

0.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

2.7 mi

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: Closed

+12127122222

Visit website

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

Lumis Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Fairfield, New Jersey

Hours: 12–9:30 pm

+19739442049

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

Cafe Luxembourg

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive

New York, New York

Hours: 8:30 am–10:30 pm

+12128737411

Visit website

Park Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

Visit website

Roasted Coffee Bar

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Owego, New York

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+16072231652

Visit website

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

+19172614093

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

IONNA Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18334662474

Visit website

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Binghamton, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Central Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Great Lawn

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route

New York, NY

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12125357710

Visit website

Ancient Playground

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Shakespeare Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Hayden Planetarium

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–5:30 pm

+12127695100

Visit website

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+12128498400

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 237.9 and 357.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
237.9 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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
352.5 mi into trip | ~7h 1m 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
352.8 mi into trip | ~7h 1m 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
356.6 mi into trip | ~7h 8m 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
357.1 mi into trip | ~7h 9m 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

$59.77 one way

$119.54 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $64.63 $129.26
premium $4.92 $70.38 $140.75
diesel $5.61 $80.17 $160.34

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

$60

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$101–$126

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.9 1 $38.13 $17.43
Efficient EV 90.8 1 $31.77 $14.52
EV Truck/SUV 145.2 1 $50.83 $23.24

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Machias, NY

Afternoon in Machias on Tuesday

Local time

12:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Afternoon in Manhattan on Tuesday

Local time

12:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

57°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

1 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

7h 20m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

General Grant National Memorial

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 363.6
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
View on nps.gov
Hamilton Grange National Memorial

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 363.6
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument

National Monument

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 363.6
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 363.6
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

National Monument

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 363.6
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 363.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 363.1-mile journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major arteries like the Southern Tier Expressway and I-81. With 72% of the route on highways, the pace is generally brisk. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 164.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the transition between these main roads will provide some variation in scenery and driving conditions as you progress toward Manhattan.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.5 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 237.9 miles in near US 6.

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 363.1 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 237.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.8 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 Machias, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

237.9 mi in | ~4h 45m | via US 6

Milford

238.7 mi in | ~4h 46m | via I 84; I 380

About the Cities

Starting in Machias, NY

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Franklinville is a town and village in Cattaraugus County, New York.

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

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Founded 1624

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

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 7h 20m. Total distance: 363.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 164.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 237.9 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 352.8 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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