New York City, NY to Murray, NY is 343.1 miles and takes about 7h 19m via I 81/Christopher Columbus Highway/New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York State, taking you from the bustling Northeast region to a more rural part of the same region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is a straightforward option for getting from the city to upstate.
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
171.5 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
44.6 mi
52m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
15.3 mi
19m
NJ 3
10.9 mi
13m
US 46
10.8 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 246 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,393 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,118
Quietest
1 AM
~445 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Murray, 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
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
29
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
30
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
31
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
33
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
34
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
35
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
36
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
37
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
38
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
39
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
40
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
41
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
42
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
43
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
44
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
45
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
46
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
47
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
48
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
49
Merge onto I 90
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
50
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
51
Continue on I 490
15 mi·19 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
52
Keep slight left at fork onto I 490
4.8 mi·6 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight lane.
53
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, BrockportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
54
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
56
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
Use the right lane.
57
Turn left onto NY 104
8.6 mi·12 min·West Ridge Road
58
Turn left onto Groth Road
50 ft·2 sec·Groth Road
59
Arrive at destination
Groth Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, starting early from New York City is your best bet for completing this trip in one day. Plan for your two scheduled stops strategically, perhaps one for a meal and another for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 97.3-mile stretch on I 81, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $63 should help you budget for your gas needs.
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 171.5 miles from New York City, NY, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 75 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.5 miles or 3h 30m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murray, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 343.1 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from New York City, 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 97.3 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 41
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 322 — 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
7
270.3 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
270.5 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
8
322 mi into trip|~6h 50m in
Take the exit toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, Brockport
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 8
Toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, Brockport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.50 one way
$111.01 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$60.23
$120.46
premium
$4.85
$65.49
$130.97
diesel
$4.80
$64.78
$129.57
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$56
Tolls
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.9
1
$36.03
$16.47
Efficient EV
85.8
0
$30.02
$13.72
EV Truck/SUV
137.2
1
$48.03
$21.96
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Evening
in New York City on Monday
Local time
8:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Murray, NY
Evening
in Murray on Monday
Local time
8:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Smoke
NE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
80°F
Norwich, NY
172 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
4 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 19m 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 trip involves 54% highway driving, with the longest stretch of continuous highway at 97.3 miles on I 81. You'll transition from the New York State Thruway onto I 81, which will be your primary highway for a significant portion of the drive. Expect to encounter more surface roads as you approach your destination in Murray.
Only 54% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 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 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 41 significant decision points across 343.1 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 270.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,937 ft34 ft
Total Climb
2,864 ft
Total Descent
2,479 ft
Highest Point
1,937 ft
~98 mi in
Elevation Range
1,903 ft
Notable High Points
832 ft at ~49 miles+509 ft prominence
1,937 ft at ~98 miles+1,096 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 Murray, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap, Mahwah, Albany and Brockport.
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 7h 19m. Total distance: 343.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.3 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.52 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 36 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 Murray, 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. There are 36 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 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.3 miles: 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Murray, NY before the return drive.
