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Trip from Manhattan, NY to Philadelphia, NY

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Compiled 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

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 26m ★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 48m
5 PM
7h 1m
8 PM
6h 31m

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

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

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
Longest stretch: NY 17 — 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, NY and Philadelphia, 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 14 Toward I 95: George Washington Brigde Use 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: Hackensack Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 72A Toward NJ 4 West: Paramus Use 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, Mahwah Use the straight lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Mahwah Use 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

118 mi · 2 hr 15 min · NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

63 mi · 1 hr 12 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 29A Toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · this road
27

Continue on NY 169

1.9 mi · 2 min · NY 169
28

At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169

0.7 mi · 1 min · NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
29

Turn right onto NY 167

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Ann Street
30

At end of road, turn left onto NY 169

9.7 mi · 15 min · West Monroe Street
31

Continue on NY 28

3.2 mi · 4 min · State Highway 28
32

Continue on NY 28

1.2 mi · 1 min · Main Street
33

Continue on NY 28

2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 28
34

Continue on NY 28

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
35

Continue on NY 8; NY 28

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 8
36

Turn right onto NY 28

6.0 mi · 8 min · State Highway 28
37

Turn right onto NY 12

11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 12
38

Continue on NY 12; NY 28

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
39

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
40

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
41

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
42

Continue on NY 12; NY 26

1.3 mi · 3 min · South State Street
43

Continue on NY 26

13 mi · 19 min · State Highway 26
44

Continue on NY 26

1.1 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
45

Continue on NY 26

6.1 mi · 10 min · Martin Street Road
46

Continue on NY 26

0.2 mi · 25 sec · State Highway 26
47

Continue on NY 26

2.3 mi · 3 min · Great Bend Road
48

Continue on NY 26

2.7 mi · 3 min · Fort Drum Road
49

Continue on US 11; NY 26

6.7 mi · 7 min · US 11; NY 26
50

Turn right onto Sand Street

141 ft · 6 sec · Sand Street
51

Arrive at destination

Sand Street

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.2 miles from Manhattan, NY, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Albany, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, NY

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

Tarrytown, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Sloatsburg Service Area

0 mi from route

Iroquois Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

I-90 Eastbound Parking/Rest Area

0 mi from route

I-90 Westbound Parking/Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)

0 mi from route

Plattkill Service Area

0 mi from route

Malden Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Mohawk Valley Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Indian Castle Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pattersonville Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Guilderland Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Ulster Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Modena Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Mohawk Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.9 mi from route

Plaza 23 Truck Stop

1.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 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.

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
29.8 mi into trip | ~43m in | NY 17

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
8
210.3 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 29A Toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.84 one way

$101.69 round trip

$4.11/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
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

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (63 mi) $3.15

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.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Manhattan, NY

Late night in Manhattan on Monday

Local time

2:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Areas Of Smoke

NW 2 to 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Philadelphia, NY

Late night in Philadelphia on Monday

Local time

2:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

77°F

Sunny

W 6 mph 0% chance 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

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

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?

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.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.

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.

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 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

1,249 ft 107 ft

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.

Between Manhattan, NY and Philadelphia, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Dolgeville.

New York State Thruway North: Albany

29.8 mi in | ~43m | via NY 17

Dolgeville

210.3 mi in | ~4h 11m

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

The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $19.15 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.

Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Philadelphia, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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