Origin
Martinsburg, NY
Morning in Martinsburg on Tuesday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Martinsburg, NY to Manhattan, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
284.1 mi
457 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 39m
★
6 AM
5h 52m
8 AM
6h 18m
10 AM
6h 1m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 2m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Martinsburg, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Martinsburg, NY to Manhattan, NY is 284.1 miles and takes about 5h 51m via New York State Thruway and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Northeast region of New York to the heart of the Northeast, staying within the Empire State for most of the trip. With a profile mostly consisting of surface roads, expect a less highway-intensive experience than you might anticipate for a trip of this length. It's a manageable one-day journey that balances highway cruising with local road driving, making it a practical choice for a quick trip into the city.
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
142.1 miles from Martinsburg, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| State Highway 12 | 22 mi | 30m |
| NJ 17 | 14.1 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 12D | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| Erwin Parkway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| NJ 4 | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 26 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 4.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Martinsburg, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Magdelene Street
157 ft
·
9 sec
·
Magdelene Street
2
Turn right onto NY 26
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 26
3
Continue on NY 26
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Road
4
Continue on NY 26
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North State Street
5
Continue on NY 26
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 26
6
Continue on NY 12D
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 12D
7
Continue on NY 12D
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Post Street
8
Turn left onto NY 12D
282 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Schuyler Street
9
Turn slight right onto NY 12D
83 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
10
Turn left onto Schuyler Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Schuyler Street
11
Turn right onto NY 12
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Erwin Parkway
12
Continue on NY 12
22 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 12
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
14
Merge onto NY 49
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Route 49
15
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
I 790; NY 5
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 90 East
19
Merge onto I 90
84 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
New York State Thruway
20
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.
21
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.
22
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 287; NJ 17
23
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.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
26
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
NJ 4
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 95 EXPR
31
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
32
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.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Use the straight lane.
35
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadway
39
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 86th Street
40
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 51m estimated duration, leaving Martinsburg in the morning should allow you to reach Manhattan with plenty of daylight to spare. While the drive is manageable in a single day, you'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan for a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. Pay attention to the transition from the New York State Thruway to State Highway 12 and NJ 17, as this marks the shift from highway to surface roads where traffic patterns will change.
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 142.1 miles from Martinsburg, NY, or about 2h 57m 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 63 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.1 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Martinsburg, 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 Martinsburg, NY
This is one driving day of about 284.1 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Martinsburg, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.1 miles from Martinsburg, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 134.6 and 278.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
134.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m 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
252.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m 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
254.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
277.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m 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
278.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.76 one way
$93.53 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $50.57 | $101.14 |
| premium | $4.92 | $55.06 | $110.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.73 | $125.45 |
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
$47
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.2 | 1 | $29.83 | $13.64 |
| Efficient EV | 71 | 0 | $24.86 | $11.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.6 | 1 | $39.77 | $18.18 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Tuesday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Stockport, NY
142 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
1 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
5h 51m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 25% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on a highway is 201.9 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway. After this extended highway segment, expect to transition to more local driving. The profile is mostly surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 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 134.6 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 27 significant decision points across 284.1 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 134.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.2 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.
Between Martinsburg, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Gsp South: Paterson, Fort Lee and New York.
Genesee Street South
49.7 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Boston
134.6 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via New York State Thruway
Gsp South: Paterson
268.2 mi in
|
~5h 25m
Fort Lee
268.2 mi in
|
~5h 25m
New York
268.2 mi in
|
~5h 25m
About the Cities
Starting in Martinsburg, NY
Full guide →Arriving 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
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 5h 51m. Total distance: 284.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 Manhattan, 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 134.6 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.2 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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