Spanning 360.3 miles across New York State, this journey from Medina to Staten Island typically takes about 7 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. You will navigate a variety of corridors, primarily utilizing the New York State Thruway, the Keystone Shortway, and I-81 to bridge the distance between the two regions. Budgeting approximately $59 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. While the trip can technically be completed in a single, long day, the time commitment makes it a significant haul. Weigh whether you prefer a straightforward, focused push to your destination or if you would rather break the journey up to stay fresh behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
180.1 miles from Medina, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
New York State Thruway
30 mi
34m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Western Expressway
20.1 mi
26m
State Route 31
11.2 mi
12m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on NY 31; NY 63
126 ft·5 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 31
0.8 mi·56 sec·East Center Street
3
Continue on NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Million Dollar Highway
4
Turn straight onto NY 31
7.1 mi·8 min·State Route 31
5
Continue on NY 31
2.2 mi·2 min·West Avenue
6
Continue on NY 31
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 31
7
Continue on NY 31
1.1 mi·1 min·Fancher Road
8
Turn straight onto NY 31
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Route 31
9
Continue on NY 31
2.3 mi·2 min·Holley Road
10
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·36 sec·West Albion Street
11
Continue on NY 31
0.1 mi·7 sec·Wright Street
12
Continue on NY 31
408 ft·5 sec·Public Square
13
Continue on NY 31
382 ft·5 sec·Mechanic Street
14
Continue on NY 31
0.5 mi·1 min·State Street
15
Continue on NY 31
1.6 mi·2 min·Brockport-Holley Road
16
Continue on NY 31
1.0 mi·1 min·West Avenue
17
Turn right onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.5 mi·1 min·Redman Road
18
Turn left onto NY 19 Truck; NY 31
1.2 mi·1 min·Fourth Section Road
19
Continue on NY 31
4.8 mi·5 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
20
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 490 East: Rochester
22
Merge onto I 490
20 mi·26 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·42 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
24
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
27
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
28
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
29
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
30
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
32
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
33
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
34
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
35
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
36
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
37
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
38
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
39
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
40
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
41
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
42
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
44
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
49
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
50
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
52
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
53
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
54
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
55
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
56
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
57
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
58
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
59
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
60
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
61
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
62
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
63
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
64
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
65
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
66
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
67
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
68
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
69
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
70
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
71
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
72
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
73
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
74
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
75
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
76
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
78
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
79
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
80
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
81
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
82
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
83
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
84
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
85
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
86
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
87
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
88
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
89
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 8-hour drive time, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the brunt of traffic as you approach the Staten Island area. Plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refuel, ensuring you stay alert during the more winding portions of the route. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $59, consider filling up before hitting the major highway stretches to avoid premium stop prices. Because this is a turn-heavy route, keep your navigation tools accessible to manage the transitions between I-81 and the Thruway smoothly. If you find the 360.3-mile distance too taxing for a single day, the flexibility of this route allows you to easily identify a halfway point for an overnight stay.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.1 miles from Medina, NY, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 79 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.1 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medina, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Medina, NY
This is one driving day of about 360.3 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Medina, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 98.8 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 50
5 decision points cluster between mile 89.3 and 345.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
239.6 mi into trip|~5h 4m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
314.8 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
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 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
345.5 mi into trip|~7h 15m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
345.6 mi into trip|~7h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.31 one way
$118.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$64.13
$128.26
premium
$4.92
$69.83
$139.67
diesel
$5.61
$79.55
$159.10
Estimated Tolls: $17.50
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30 mi)$1.50
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
$59
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.1
1
$37.83
$17.29
Efficient EV
90.1
1
$31.53
$14.41
EV Truck/SUV
144.1
1
$50.44
$23.06
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Medina, NY
Late night
in Medina on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
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
7h 48m 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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 111.8
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 347.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 347.8
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 347.8
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 347.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With highways accounting for 60% of the trip, you will encounter a mix of faster stretches and more technical segments. Your longest uninterrupted time behind the wheel will be a 98.8-mile stretch on I-81, which offers a brief reprieve from more frequent maneuvering. As you transition between these different road types, the character of the drive shifts, requiring you to adjust your pace accordingly. Prepare for a dynamic experience that keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel throughout the trek.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
89 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
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 89.3 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 50 significant decision points across 360.3 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 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medina, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport and New York City - among others.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 360.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.50 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals 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 Staten Island, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Statue Of Liberty 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Staten Island, NY before the return drive.
