Trip from Marcy, NY to Washington Heights, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
235 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
108 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marcy, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Washington Heights, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marcy, NY to Washington Heights, NY is 235 miles and takes about 4h 39m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, beginning in upstate New York and concluding in the heart of Manhattan. You'll encounter a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, making it a straightforward, single-day option. Given the relatively short duration and moderate cost, it's a convenient choice for a quick trip between these two points.
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
117.5 miles from Marcy, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| NY 49 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| NY 291 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 95 EXPR | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| NY 17 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
| I 287 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 21 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marcy, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
Start on NY 291
Take the ramp
Merge onto NY 49
Continue on I 790; NY 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto NJ 4
Continue on NJ 4
Take the exit
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
Take the exit onto US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
Turn left onto US 9
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 39m drive, leaving early in the morning is a good strategy to avoid the worst of the traffic, especially as you get closer to Washington Heights. The route is manageable in one day, with only one suggested stop, but you can easily adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $38, and it's wise to fill up before entering more congested areas. Pay attention to posted speed limits on the surface roads, as they can vary significantly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Marcy, 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 Marcy, NY
This is one driving day of about 235 miles and 4h 39m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Marcy, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 201.9 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.
Indian Castle Travel Plaza
Guilderland Travel Plaza
I-90 Eastbound Parking/Rest Area
I-90 Westbound Parking/Rest Area
Rest Area I-87 (South Bound)
Ulster Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Malden Service Area
Modena Travel Plaza
Sloatsburg Service Area
Iroquois Travel Plaza
Pattersonville Travel Plaza
Schuyler Travel Plaza
Plattkill Service Area
Modena Service Plaza
Rest Area
Mohawk Valley Welcome Center
TA
Mohawk Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 91.4 and 234.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.19 one way
$76.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $41.34 | $82.68 |
| premium | $4.87 | $45.02 | $90.04 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $49.99 | $99.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.09
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
$38
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
108 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charge Point
New York, New York
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Altamont, New York
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Schenectady, New York
1 DCFC
Lynkwell Charging Station
Schenectady, New York
1 DCFC
ChargeSmart EV Charging Station
Schenectady, New York
1 DCFC
Applegreen Electric Charging Station
Pattersonville, New York
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Amsterdam, New York
1 DCFC
Quick Charge Charging Station
Amsterdam, New York
1 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.56 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.90 | $15.04 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Marcy, NY
Evening in Marcy on Saturday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Evening in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
20 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
4h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
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...
Fort Stanwix National Monument
National Monument
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 13% highway, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 201.9 miles along the New York State Thruway. After this, you'll transition to surface roads, primarily using NJ 17 and NJ 4. Expect a noticeable increase in traffic and more frequent stops as you approach your destination.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 91.4 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 17 significant decision points across 235 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 91.4 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.6 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211 miles (NJ 17): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Marcy, NY to Washington Heights, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.
Boston
About the Cities
Starting in Marcy, NY
Full guide →Utica is the heart of the Mohawk Valley and the seat of Oneida County in Central New York State. Utica offers the charm of small-city living balanced with the cultural and ethnic diversity of an international urban center. At the foot of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a truly scenic city that offers the pleasures of both a rural and urban setting.
Arriving in Washington Heights, 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 4h 39m. Total distance: 235 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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