Melrose Park, NY to Staten Island, NY is 253.7 miles and takes about 5h 35m via Owasco Road, White Bridge Road, and Highway 38, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, crossing from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, making it a good option if you prefer a more scenic and less highway-intensive experience. With a single stop suggested, it's manageable for a day trip, but you might consider breaking it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
126.9 miles from Melrose Park, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
46.1 mi
59m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
West Lake Road
14.9 mi
20m
State Highway 90
12.9 mi
21m
NJ 24
9.3 mi
10m
Route 10 East
9.2 mi
11m
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,531 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,387
Quietest
midnight
~447 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 94 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 Melrose Park, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on this road
44 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 38A
0.2 mi·22 sec·Owasco Road
3
Turn right onto NY 437
0.3 mi·35 sec·White Bridge Road
4
Enter roundabout onto NY 38
308 ft·6 sec·State Highway 38
5
Continue on NY 38
150 ft·5 sec·State Highway 38
6
Turn slight right onto NY 38
15 mi·20 min·West Lake Road
7
Continue on NY 38
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cayuga Street
8
Turn right onto NY 38
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
9
Continue on NY 38
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 38
10
Continue on NY 38
0.8 mi·1 min·Main Street
11
Turn left onto NY 90
13 mi·21 min·State Highway 90
12
Turn right onto NY 281
0.4 mi·1 min·South West Street
13
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
15
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
21
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
23
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
24
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
25
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
26
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
29
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
31
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
38
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
39
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
40
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
41
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
42
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
43
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
44
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
45
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
46
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
47
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
50
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
51
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
52
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
53
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
54
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
55
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
56
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
57
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
58
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
59
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
60
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
For this 5h 35m drive, leaving early in the morning will help you avoid the worst of any local traffic, especially as you approach Staten Island. Since it's a single-day trip and primarily on surface roads, you have flexibility in when and where you stop. The suggested one stop is likely sufficient for a break, but there are numerous opportunities along the way if you need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as stations might be less frequent on certain rural stretches of Owasco Road and White Bridge Road compared to a typical interstate drive.
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 126.9 miles from Melrose Park, NY, or about 2h 44m 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 56 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 44m 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 23m
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 Melrose Park, 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 Melrose Park, NY
This is one driving day of about 253.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Melrose Park, 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 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 40
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.7 and 239.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
79.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
133 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
208.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
238.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
239.1 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
$44.41 one way
$88.81 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$48.12
$96.25
premium
$5.23
$52.24
$104.48
diesel
$6.28
$62.69
$125.37
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
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
$44
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.20
$10.15
EV Truck/SUV
101.5
1
$35.52
$16.24
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Melrose Park, NY
Morning
in Melrose Park on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 8 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
5h 35m 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.
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...
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...
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 245
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 245
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 245
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 245
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets and county roads for the full 253.7 miles. Given the lack of highway, anticipate more traffic signals and potential for slower speeds as you pass through towns and more populated areas. The longest stretch without a significant break isn't specified, but plan for frequent turns and varied speed limits.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
60 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
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.7 miles in near I 81.
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 40 significant decision points across 253.7 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 79.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,910 ft72 ft
Total Climb
1,905 ft
Total Descent
2,565 ft
Highest Point
1,910 ft
~147.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,838 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Melrose Park, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark - 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 5h 35m. Total distance: 253.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 $16.00 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.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 79.7 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.2 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, Statue Of Liberty National Monument and Governors Island 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
