New York City to Canandaigua is 289.5 miles and takes about 6h 18m via I 81/US 11, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a relatively straightforward drive. Plan for a single day of travel to reach your destination.
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
144.7 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.8 mi
1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,353 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,201
Quietest
1 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 New York City, NY and Canandaigua, 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
11 mi·13 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 46
11 mi·12 min·US 46
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80 West: Dover, Del Water Gap
18
Continue on I 80W
1.6 mi·1 min·Interstate 80 West
Toward I 287: Morristown, MahwahUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water GapUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 80
45 mi·52 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
24
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
25
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
29
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
30
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
31
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
32
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
33
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
35
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
36
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
37
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
38
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
39
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
40
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
41
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
42
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
43
Turn left onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
44
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
45
Turn right onto NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
46
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·15 sec·North Town Line Road
47
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Street
48
Continue on NY 96A
17 mi·23 min·State Highway 96A
49
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
50
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
51
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
52
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
53
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
54
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
55
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; NY 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
56
Turn right onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Middle Cheshire Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
57
Turn right onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Parrish Street
58
Turn right
350 ft·27 sec
59
At end of road, turn right
166 ft·12 sec
60
Turn right
41 ft·2 sec
61
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving New York City early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic. With a total travel time under 7 hours, it's manageable in one day, but a stop isn't out of the question if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 73.8-mile stretch on I 81, as services can be more spread out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $52 is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.7 miles from New York City, NY, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 64 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 58m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canandaigua, 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 289.5 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from New York City, 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 73.8 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 30.3 — 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
6
3 mi into trip|~8m in|NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 1-9 North: Secausus
6
4.3 mi into trip|~10m in|US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Turn right onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
30.3 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.43 one way
$96.86 round trip
$4.25/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$52.61
$105.22
premium
$5.03
$57.36
$114.73
diesel
$6.13
$69.83
$139.67
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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-11-09.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.40
$13.90
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.33
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.53
$18.53
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 Nov 12, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Saturday
Local time
10:00 AM
EST
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
SE 6 to 9 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 12:44PM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 12:23PM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Canandaigua, NY
Morning
in Canandaigua on Saturday
Local time
10:00 AM
EST
Current temp
39°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Light Rain Likely
E 3 to 7 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 12:44PM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 12:23PM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Albany NY
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
15 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
6h 18m 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.
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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 64% of the route on major roads like I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major exit on I 81 for 73.8 miles. The route transitions from highway to surface roads, with US 11 serving as a significant portion of the non-highway driving. Expect a steady pace with a good number of exits along the main interstates.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. 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 39 significant decision points across 289.5 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 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,957 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,997 ft
Total Descent
2,236 ft
Highest Point
1,957 ft
~103.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,923 ft
Notable High Points
1,957 ft at ~103.4 miles+1,026 ft prominence
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 Canandaigua, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Lisle.
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 — monument in New York
•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
One of the oldest cities in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Canandaigua has a long history as a major crossroads. Its name derives from a Seneca word meaning "The Chosen Spot", and its position at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake certainly justifies the moniker. With a well-preserved historic downtown, a magnificent 19th-century mansion with gardens, a modern and very trendy wine and culinary center, and (of course) the always-excellent boating on the lake, Canandaigua today has just as much to offer a visitor as it did in its heyday... if not more.
Top landmarks
•Sonnenberg Gardens — state historic site in New York, United States
•Adelaide Avenue School — historic school building in Canandaigua, New York state, USA
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in Canandaigua, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 289.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 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 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.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Canandaigua, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 3 miles (NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Canandaigua, NY before the return drive.
