Trip from Manhattan, NY to Philadelphia, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 38m
Distance
314.3 mi
506 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Philadelphia, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Manhattan, NY to Philadelphia, NY is 314.3 miles and takes about 6h 38m via NY 17 and New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Northeast region, primarily within New York State. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major highways, making it a relatively straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
157.2 miles from Manhattan, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 117.5 mi | 2h 15m |
| New York State Thruway | 63 mi | 1h 12m |
| Bea Luck Road | 19.8 mi | 23m |
| NJ 17 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 26 | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 12 | 12 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 28 | 11.7 mi | 17m |
| Erwin Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Philadelphia, NY.
Start on 86th Street Transverse
Continue on West 86th Street
Turn right onto Amsterdam Avenue
Turn left onto West 96th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
Take the exit
Turn straight
Merge onto I 95; US 1; US 9
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on NJ 17
Continue on I 287; NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Continue on NY 169
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
Turn right onto NY 167
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 28
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
Turn right onto NY 28
Turn right onto NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on US 11; NY 26
Turn right onto Sand Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 38m drive time, leaving Manhattan in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should get you to Philadelphia with daylight to spare. The route includes one recommended stop, which you can use to break up the longest stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $56, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially before heading onto longer highway segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time; however, avoiding peak rush hour in the New York metropolitan area is highly advisable.
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.
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 69 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 3h 10m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, 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 314.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 157.2 miles from Manhattan, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 117.5 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.
Sloatsburg Service Area
Iroquois Travel Plaza
I-90 Eastbound Parking/Rest Area
I-90 Westbound Parking/Rest Area
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
Plattkill Service Area
Malden Service Area
Modena Travel Plaza
Mohawk Valley Welcome Center
Indian Castle Travel Plaza
Pattersonville Travel Plaza
Guilderland Travel Plaza
Ulster Travel Plaza
Modena Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Rest Area
TA
Mohawk Travel Plaza
Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Plaza 23 Truck Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 7.5 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 4 West: Paramus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.84 one way
$101.69 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $55.18 | $110.35 |
| premium | $4.85 | $59.99 | $119.98 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $59.35 | $118.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $19.15
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
$51
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$95–$120
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.00 | $15.09 |
| Efficient EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.7 | 1 | $44.00 | $20.12 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Origin
Manhattan, NY
Late night in Manhattan on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Areas Of Smoke
Destination
Philadelphia, NY
Late night in Philadelphia on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
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
10 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 38m 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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 64% of this 314.3-mile trip. Expect a significant stretch of 117.5 miles on NY 17, which will feel like a continuous highway cruise. As you transition off the New York State Thruway, you'll encounter a shift towards surface roads, indicated by the remaining percentage of the drive. Be prepared for a higher density of exits and potential slowdowns as you approach more populated areas.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.5 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 314.3 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 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; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,580 ft
Total Descent
1,196 ft
Highest Point
1,249 ft
~247 mi in
Elevation Range
1,142 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Philadelphia, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Dolgeville.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
Dolgeville
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
Arriving in Philadelphia, NY
Full guide →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 38m. Total distance: 314.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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