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Trip from Marcy, NY to Washington Heights, NY

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Compiled 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

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 26m ★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m

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

Downtown Marcy, NY, NY

Marcy, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Downtown Washington Heights, NY, NY

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
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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.

1

Start on NY 291

1.8 mi · 2 min · NY 291
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
3

Merge onto NY 49

4.2 mi · 4 min · NY 49
4

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
8

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
9

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
12

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

14 mi · 18 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
15

Merge onto NJ 4

0.3 mi · 24 sec · NJ 4
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on NJ 4

6.4 mi · 8 min · NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.7 mi · 54 sec · I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR
20

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)
21

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9
Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9

0.2 mi · 42 sec · US 9
Toward West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Turn left onto US 9

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
24

Arrive at destination

US 9

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 117.5 miles from Marcy, NY, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Marcy, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Catskill, NY, NY

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Catskill, NY

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

Carlisle, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nassau, NY

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Indian Castle Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Guilderland 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

Ulster Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0 mi from route

Malden Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Sloatsburg Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Iroquois Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pattersonville Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Schuyler Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Plattkill Service Area

0.1 mi from route

Modena Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Mohawk Valley Welcome Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Mohawk Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

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 17

5 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.

8
91.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | New York State Thruway

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
209.6 mi into trip | ~4h 4m in | NY 17

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
211 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
8
234.5 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | US 9

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
234.6 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | US 9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward West 178th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.19 one way

$76.38 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
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

George Washington Bridge $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09

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

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Altamont, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Schenectady, New York

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Lynkwell Charging Station

Schenectady, New York

Other

1 DCFC

ChargeSmart EV Charging Station

Schenectady, New York

Other

1 DCFC

Applegreen Electric Charging Station

Pattersonville, New York

Other

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Amsterdam, New York

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Quick Charge Charging Station

Amsterdam, New York

Quick Charge

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 32 Other: 31 ViaLynk: 22 EV Connect: 8 Tesla: 3 Quick Charge: 2 EVgo: 2 Electrify America: 2 Blink: 2 Shell Recharge: 2 Rivian: 1 Tesla Destination: 1

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.

Forecast as of Apr 24, 2026

Origin

Marcy, NY

Evening in Marcy on Saturday

Local time

5:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington Heights, NY

Evening in Washington Heights on Saturday

Local time

5:55 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

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

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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 235
View on nps.gov
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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 235
View on nps.gov
Fort Stanwix National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~22 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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 235
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 235
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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 235
View on nps.gov

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.

Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 201.9 mi on New York State Thruway.

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.

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 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.

On the drive from Marcy, NY to Washington Heights, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Boston along the way.

Boston

91.4 mi in | ~1h 47m | via New York State Thruway

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

The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $26.09 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.

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 Washington Heights, 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington Heights, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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