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Trip from Manhattan, NY to Gainesville, NY

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 46m

Distance

330 mi

531 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
6h 34m ★
6 AM
6h 46m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 54m
12 PM
6h 52m
3 PM
6h 56m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gainesville, NY, NY

Gainesville, NY

Liliana Drew

Trip Overview

This 330-mile drive from Manhattan, NY, to Gainesville, NY, is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 6 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. You'll spend about 70% of your journey on highways, primarily utilizing I-86, I-81, and Christopher Columbus Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, it's an economical option for exploring within New York State. This route focuses on efficient travel, making it a straightforward journey through the Northeast region. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, and you'll be well on your way to Gainesville.

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

165 miles from Manhattan, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 100 mi 1h 56m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
Christopher Columbus Highway 44.6 mi 52m
I 380 27.7 mi 30m
Genesee Expressway 22.8 mi 26m
Keystone Shortway 17.3 mi 24m
Nunda-Dansville Road 12.4 mi 16m
US 46 10.8 mi 12m
Longest stretch: I 86 — 100 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 86th Street Transverse
2

Continue on West 86th Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · West 86th Street
Use the straight lane.
3

Turn left onto Columbus Avenue

1.4 mi · 4 min · Columbus Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Continue on 9th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · 9th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn right onto West 41st Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West 41st Street
Use the right lane.
6

Turn left onto Galvin Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · Galvin Avenue
Toward Lincoln Tunnel
7

Take the ramp

477 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey Use the straight lane.
8

Merge onto NY 495

3.4 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

453 ft · 7 sec
Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto NJ 3

10 mi · 12 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto US 46

11 mi · 12 min · US 46
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
14

Continue on I 80W

1.6 mi · 1 min · Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, Mahwah Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 80

45 mi · 52 min · Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 8 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

12 mi · 15 min · Keystone Shortway
19

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 46 sec
Exit 293 Toward I 380 North: Scranton
20

Continue on I 380

28 mi · 30 min · I 380
Use the straight lane.
21

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 81
Use the straight lane.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

100 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 390

23 mi · 26 min · Genesee Expressway
Toward I 390: Rochester
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 40 sec
Exit 4 Toward NY 36: Dansville
25

Turn left onto NY 36

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Clara Barton Street
26

Turn left onto Lincoln Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Lincoln Street
27

Turn left onto NY 36

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ossian Street
28

Continue on NY 436

12 mi · 16 min · Nunda-Dansville Road
29

Continue on NY 436

1.0 mi · 1 min · Mill Street
30

Continue on NY 436

5.6 mi · 8 min · Portage Street
31

Continue on NY 436

360 ft · 10 sec · Main Street
32

Turn right onto NY 436

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Hamilton Street
33

Continue on NY 19A; NY 436

2.2 mi · 3 min · NY 19A; NY 436
34

Turn left onto NY 436

1.8 mi · 2 min · Denton Corners Road
35

Turn left onto NY 39

0.2 mi · 19 sec · State Highway 39
36

Turn sharp right onto CR 29

3.6 mi · 4 min · Lamont Road
37

Continue on CR 29

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Mill Street
38

Turn right onto NY 19

0.2 mi · 13 sec · South Main Street
39

Arrive at destination

NY 19

Trip Plan

Consider an early morning departure from Manhattan to maximize your daylight hours and navigate potential city traffic. With a total duration of under 7 hours, this route is very manageable as a single-day trip. You'll encounter one primary recommended stop, which should be sufficient to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 100-mile stretch on I-86, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments. This flexibility means you can adjust your pace as needed.

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 165 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 73 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 165 miles or 3h 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 5h 28m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, NY

This is one driving day of about 330 miles and 6h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Manhattan, 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 86 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Broome County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vestal, NY

165 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

Ramapo, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Endwell, NY

Meal break

The midpoint is around 165 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Noi Due Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the start, right off the route

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

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

Near the start, short detour

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15167490697

Pier i Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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

New York, NY

Hours: 11:30 am–8 pm

+12123624450

Visit website

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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 start, short detour

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

Duaa’s Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

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

New York, New York

+19172614093

Le Cafe Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

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

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12123651060

Visit website

Amano Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15858883232

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 94.3

Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 259.3

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 235.7

Horseheads, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 235.7

Elmira, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 259.3

Painted Post, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Central Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

New York, New York

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

+12123106600

Visit website

The Great Lawn

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 6.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Columbus Avenue

Turn left onto Columbus Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
2.6 mi into trip | ~7m in | West 41st Street

Turn right onto West 41st Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
2.9 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the ramp toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 495 West: Lincoln Tunnel, New Jersey
6
6.4 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward NJ 3 West: Secaucus
8
6.7 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward NJ 3 West: Clifton

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.32 one way

$108.64 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 116 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $58.74 $117.47
premium $4.92 $63.96 $127.92
diesel $5.61 $72.86 $145.72

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

Lincoln Tunnel $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

$54

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$95–$120

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 99 1 $34.65 $15.84
Efficient EV 82.5 0 $28.87 $13.20
EV Truck/SUV 132 1 $46.20 $21.12

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

39 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 16, 2026

Origin

Manhattan, NY

Late night in Manhattan on Sunday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 3 to 9 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 15 at 11:57PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Gainesville, NY

Late night in Gainesville on Sunday

Local time

12:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

38°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

50 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 46m 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 trip, with 70% of the route involving interstate travel. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is about 100 miles on I-86. This means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with opportunities for faster speeds. While the profile is predominantly highway, be aware that transitions between these major roads can offer brief glimpses of the surrounding landscape before you merge back onto faster routes. The drive is designed for covering distance rather than lingering.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Columbus Avenue.

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 29 significant decision points across 330 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 0.4 miles (Columbus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West 41st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: 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 Manhattan, NY and Gainesville, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.

Del Water Gap

27.8 mi in | ~40m

Mahwah

28 mi in | ~40m | via I 80W

About the Cities

Starting in Manhattan, NY

Full guide →

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 6h 46m. Total distance: 330 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 86. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Lincoln 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 Gainesville, 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 0.4 miles (Columbus Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (West 41st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: 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 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 Gainesville, 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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