Traveling from Maryland, NY, down to New York City covers approximately 189.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it without an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of roughly $30 to cover the distance. The route transitions from the rural Northeast landscape toward the urban density of the city. Since the drive is relatively straightforward, it is an ideal choice for travelers looking to balance efficiency with a mix of road types.
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
94.8 miles from Maryland, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
State Highway 145
35 mi
50m
I 88
24.1 mi
27m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
State Highway 32
9.2 mi
13m
King's Highway
6.8 mi
9m
Main Street
5.1 mi
8m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryland, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 7
3.9 mi·5 min·Main Street
2
Turn right
0.3 mi·36 sec
3
Continue on County Highway 56
0.6 mi·1 min·County Highway 56
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto I 88
24 mi·27 min·I 88
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 22Toward NY 7, NY 145: Cobleskill, Middleburgh
7
Turn right onto NY 145
7.4 mi·10 min·State Highway 145
8
At end of road, turn left onto NY 30; NY 145
291 ft·8 sec·State Highway 30
9
Continue on NY 30; NY 145
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
10
Continue on NY 145
28 mi·40 min·State Highway 145
11
Turn straight onto NY 23
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 23
12
Turn right onto NY 32
9.2 mi·13 min·State Highway 32
13
Continue on NY 32
6.8 mi·9 min·King's Highway
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
15
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
18
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
20
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
0.1 mi·9 sec·Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
24
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
25
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
26
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
28
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
30
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 7-minute trek, consider scheduling at least one stop to break up the journey. Since you are covering nearly 190 miles, having a flexible itinerary allows you to manage traffic fatigue effectively. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate may fluctuate based on current local prices and your vehicle's efficiency. Because the majority of your time is spent on major roads, checking traffic reports for the New York State Thruway before you depart is a smart way to avoid potential delays. Prioritizing a mid-trip rest will help you arrive in the city feeling refreshed rather than drained.
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 94.8 miles from Maryland, NY, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.8 miles or 2h 9m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maryland, 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 Maryland, NY
This is one driving day of about 189.6 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Maryland, 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 70.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 29 and 185.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
29 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward NY 7, NY 145: Cobleskill, Middleburgh
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 22
Toward NY 7, NY 145: Cobleskill, Middleburgh
9
154 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
155.3 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
6
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
185.2 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.21 one way
$62.42 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$33.75
$67.49
premium
$4.92
$36.75
$73.50
diesel
$5.61
$41.86
$83.72
Estimated Tolls: $19.53
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)$3.53
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
$31
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.9
0
$19.91
$9.10
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.59
$7.58
EV Truck/SUV
75.8
0
$26.54
$12.13
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Maryland, NY
Late night
in Maryland on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Late night
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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 7m 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.
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 189.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged as the road conditions shift. You will navigate a combination of I-88, State Highway 145, and the New York State Thruway, with highways accounting for 52% of your total travel. Expect your longest uninterrupted stint to be a 70.5-mile stretch along the Thruway, where you can maintain a steady cruising speed. Outside of those major thoroughfares, the transition onto state highways provides a different rhythm compared to the fast-paced interstate segments. Overall, the drive balances high-speed highway travel with more localized road experiences.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 mi on New York State Thruway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 189.6 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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.3 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 Maryland, NY to New York City, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Middleburgh along the way.
New York (known as "The Big Apple", "NYC," and often called "New York City") is a global center for media, entertainment, art, fashion, research, finance, and trade. The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States, New York has long been a key entry point and a defining city for the nation.
From the Statue of Liberty in the harbor to the Empire State Building towering over the Manhattan skyline, from the tunnels of the subway to the riches of Wall Street, from the bright signs of Times Square to the naturalistic beauty of Central Park, and from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York's landmarks are quintessential American landmarks. The city's neighborhoods and streets are so iconic they have become ingrained into the American consciousness.
Top landmarks
•Statue of Liberty — American icon in New York, United States
•National September 11 Memorial & Museum — memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
•Plaza Hotel — hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Absolutely doable as a same-day trip, this 189.6-mile route can be conquered in about 4 hours without feeling too rushed, leaving plenty of time for your weekend plans.
Family Friendly
With a 10/10 complexity rating, this 189.6-mile drive to NYC might be stressful for families; plan for plenty of entertainment during the 4+ hours of driving, especially with 52% highway driving.
Solo Traveler
This 189.6-mile drive is a comfortable solo distance with just over 4 hours of driving time, though the 10/10 complexity means you'll need to stay sharp navigating.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.53 in tolls one way, starting with Holland Tunnel. 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 New York City, 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 29 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.3 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at New York City, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
