If you are looking to escape Manhattan for the Catskills, the 89.1-mile journey to Monticello is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes. Because this is a local-heavy drive, you should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance. It functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you do not need to worry about overnight logistics unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to navigate through dense city streets before transitioning toward the Northeast region’s more open landscape. This route is ideal for those who prefer navigating local roads over the monotony of major highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
54.7 mi
1h 4m
NJ 17
14.7 mi
18m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Henry Hudson Parkway
3.5 mi
5m
East Broadway
2.2 mi
3m
I 95 EXPR
1.2 mi
1m
Amsterdam Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 54.7 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Monticello, NY.
1
Start on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·38 sec·86th Street Transverse
2
Continue on West 86th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Amsterdam Avenue
4
Turn left onto West 96th Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·West 96th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
448 ft·11 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
6
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
3.5 mi·5 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 14Toward I 95: George Washington BrigdeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 95 South: George Washington Bridge, New Jersey
9
Merge onto I 95; US 1; US 9
0.4 mi·43 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
10
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 72AToward NJ 4 West: ParamusUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto NJ 4
6.7 mi·9 min·NJ 4
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward GSP South, NJ 17 South, GSP North, NJ 17 North: Grand State Plaza, Newark, MahwahUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: MahwahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
21
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
22
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
23
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi·16 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
24
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NY 17
40 mi·48 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 106Toward CR 173: East Broadway
29
Continue on CR 173A
0.2 mi·23 sec·Resorts World Drive
30
Turn left onto CR 173A
0.2 mi·20 sec·Towner Road
Use the left lane.
31
Enter roundabout onto CR 173
39 ft·2 sec·East Broadway
Toward CR 173 West: Monticello
32
Continue on CR 173
2.2 mi·3 min·East Broadway
Toward CR 173 West: Monticello
33
Arrive at destination
NY 42
Trip Plan
Since this 1-day trip involves no scheduled stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever traffic patterns are most favorable for you. Keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your travel time is highly dependent on local congestion levels. Monitor your fuel gauge before leaving Manhattan, as the $14 estimated cost is based on steady local driving conditions. To make the most of this drive, focus on the specific turns along West 86th and West 96th Streets early in your journey. Planning your departure to avoid peak city rush hours will ensure the nearly two-hour drive remains as smooth as possible.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.6 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 20 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 miles or 1h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monticello, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manhattan, NY
This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Manhattan, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 54.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 44.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
8
7.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
9
7.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 72A
Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
8
14.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
8
44.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.67 one way
$29.33 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$15.86
$31.72
premium
$4.92
$17.27
$34.54
diesel
$5.61
$19.67
$39.34
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
$15
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.7
0
$9.36
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.56
EV Truck/SUV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Manhattan, NY
Late night
in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Monticello, NY
Late night
in Monticello on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
45 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
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
1h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 3.1
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from the start. You will spend your time navigating city arteries like West 86th Street, Amsterdam Avenue, and West 96th Street, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because there is no extended highway cruising, your longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West 86th Street. The experience is intimate and technical, offering a stark contrast to typical interstate travel. You will feel the transition as the dense urban grid gives way to the regional roads leading toward your destination.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.1 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Monticello, NY, road signs point toward New Jersey, Njtp South: Hackensack, Gsp South, Gsp North, Newark and Mahwah - among others.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 89.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on NY 17. 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.
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 Monticello, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Monticello, NY before heading back.
