If you are looking to escape New York City for a quick change of scenery, a 68.9-mile drive to Balmville is a straightforward option. Expect the journey to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, as the distance is easily manageable in one go. Budget roughly $11 for fuel to cover the trip, keeping your overhead costs low. Since both locations are situated within the Northeast, you will remain in the familiar regional landscape throughout your travel. This route is ideal for those who prefer local roads over highway traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.5 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
29.9 mi
34m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
I 84
2.2 mi
2m
Holland Tunnel
1.8 mi
3m
Route 9W
1.1 mi
2m
NJ 139 Lower Level
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 29.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Balmville, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
79 ft·7 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto Chambers Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Chambers Street
3
Turn right onto Church Street
215 ft·16 sec·Church Street
4
Turn left onto Reade Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Reade Street
5
Turn right onto Hudson Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Hudson Street
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Hudson Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Hudson Street
7
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
9
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
11
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
12
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
13
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
23
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
24
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
25
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
30 mi·34 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 17Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, NewburghUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 84, NY 300: Danbury, Scranton
28
Continue on this road
485 ft·11 sec·this road
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
30
Merge onto I 84
2.2 mi·2 min·I 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 39Toward US 9W, NY 32: Highland, NewburghUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn left onto US 9W; NY 32
410 ft·13 sec·North Robinson Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Continue on US 9W
1.1 mi·2 min·Route 9W
Use the left lane.
34
Turn left onto CR 86
38 ft·0 sec·Fostertown Road
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
CR 86
Trip Plan
Because this drive involves navigating local streets rather than open highways, try to depart during off-peak hours to avoid heavy city congestion. Since the total travel time is only 1 hour and 30 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You do not need to worry about pacing long stretches, as the lack of highway miles means you can easily pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the city, as the $11 estimated cost assumes a direct, efficient path. Focus on navigating the turns on Chambers and Church streets carefully, as these local routes require more frequent adjustments than typical main highways.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.5 miles from New York City, NY, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 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 68.9 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.5 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balmville, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New York City, 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 New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 68.9 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New York City, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on NY 17 for about 29.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 67.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
0.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
7
4.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
8
11.2 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
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 17
Toward I 84, NY 300, NY 17K: Scranton, Newburgh
8
67.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 9W, NY 32: Highland, Newburgh
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 39
Toward US 9W, NY 32: Highland, Newburgh
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.34 one way
$22.68 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.26
$24.53
premium
$4.92
$13.35
$26.71
diesel
$5.61
$15.21
$30.42
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$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
$11
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.7
0
$7.23
$3.31
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.03
$2.76
EV Truck/SUV
27.6
0
$9.65
$4.41
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 15, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Balmville, NY
Morning
in Balmville on Sunday
Local time
9:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Ramapo, NY
34 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
9 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
1h 30m 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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this 0% highway share route relies on navigate-intensive streets like Chambers, Church, and Reade. Because you are navigating local corridors, there is no long, uninterrupted stretch of road to zone out on. The personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns and urban navigation rather than high-speed cruising. You should expect a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
NY 17 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and NJ 17. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 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 22 significant decision points across 68.9 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 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
533 ft8 ft
Total Climb
676 ft
Total Descent
492 ft
Highest Point
533 ft
~49.2 mi in
Elevation Range
525 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New York City, NY and Balmville, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany, Newburgh and Scranton.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 68.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from New York City, NY to Balmville, NY covers 68.9 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are NY 17, NJ 17, NJ 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.5 miles from New York City, NY. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 68.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between New York City, NY and Balmville, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany, Newburgh and Scranton.
