Nassau, NY to Staten Island, NY is 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 35m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, traversing the Northeast region. Given its relatively short duration and manageable distance, it's a straightforward drive. You'll primarily be on major roadways, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.2 miles from Nassau, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
103 mi
1h 58m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
6.2 mi
7m
New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
4.7 mi
5m
NJ 440
4.5 mi
6m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
County Road 32
2.8 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 103 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nassau, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on this road
107 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto NY 203
0.9 mi·1 min·Chatham Street
3
Continue on NY 203
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 203
4
Turn right onto CR 32
2.8 mi·4 min·County Road 32
5
Turn right onto US 9
1.1 mi·1 min·US 9
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 90 East: Boston, New York
7
Merge onto I 90
0.2 mi·15 sec·I 90
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward New York City
9
Merge onto New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
6.2 mi·7 min·New York State Thruway Berkshire Connector
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 87 South: New York CityUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 87
103 mi·1 hr 58 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
16
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
20
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
21
Continue on NJ 139
0.3 mi·27 sec·12th Street Viaduct
22
Take the exit
236 ft·9 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto Jersey Avenue
463 ft·23 sec·Jersey Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139
408 ft·5 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 78; NJTP
4.7 mi·5 min·New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
Toward NJTP: New Jersey TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 14AToward NJ 440: BayonneUse the right lane.
27
Continue on Port Jersey Boulevard
0.3 mi·17 sec·Port Jersey Boulevard
Toward NJ 440
28
Take the exit
357 ft·8 sec
Toward NJ 440 South: Chosin Few WayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 440 SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto NJ 440
4.5 mi·6 min·NJ 440
31
Continue on NY 440
1.4 mi·2 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
32
Take the exit
0.6 mi·55 sec
Exit 10EToward I 278 East: Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn
33
Merge onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
36
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
38
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
39
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
40
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
41
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
42
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
43
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
44
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
45
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
For this 168.4-mile drive, leaving Nassau, NY in the morning should allow you to arrive in Staten Island, NY with ample time to spare, as the estimated duration is only 3h 35m. With just one stop suggested and a fuel cost around $28, planning is simple. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you get closer to the New York metropolitan area, as this can add significant time to your surface road segments. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time based on real-time conditions.
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 84.2 miles from Nassau, NY, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
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 Nassau, 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 Nassau, NY
This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Nassau, 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 103 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.1 and 150.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 87 South: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 87 South: New York City
9
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 23m 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
149.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
7
150.7 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.72 one way
$55.44 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$29.97
$59.95
premium
$4.92
$32.64
$65.28
diesel
$5.61
$37.18
$74.36
Estimated Tolls: $6.11
New York State Thruway
(109.2 mi)$5.46
New Jersey Turnpike
(4.7 mi)$0.65
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
$28
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.74
$6.74
EV Truck/SUV
67.4
0
$23.58
$10.78
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Nassau, NY
Morning
in Nassau on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Tuesday
Local time
6:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
84 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
7 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
3h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a significant amount of highway travel, with 26% of the 168.4 miles on major routes like the New York State Thruway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 103 miles on the New York State Thruway. After this highway portion, you'll transition to mostly surface roads, which could mean more traffic signals and varied speed limits as you approach Staten Island.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103 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 14.1 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 33 significant decision points across 168.4 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 14.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 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.
Between Nassau, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway, Hoboken and Njtp: New Jersey Turnpike.
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 3h 35m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.11 in tolls one way, starting with New York State Thruway. 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 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 14.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 117.9 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Staten Island, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
