Origin
New York City, NY
Afternoon in New York City on Sunday
Local time
12:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New York City, NY to Painted Post, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
256 mi
412 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Painted Post, NY
Douglas Schneiders
Trip Overview
New York City, NY to Painted Post, NY is 256 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within New York, taking you from the bustling Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that makes for a solid single-day journey. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from Manhattan to the Southern Tier of New York, this route is a practical choice.
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
128 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 75.7 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 44.6 mi | 52m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| NJ 3 | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| US 46 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 86
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Painted Post, 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 Jersey
Use 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: Secausus
Use 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, Mahwah
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 80 West: Delaware Water Gap
Use 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 293
Toward 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
76 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 45
Toward NY 415: Riverside
28
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 45
Toward NY 415: Riverside
29
Turn right onto NY 415
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Pulteney Street
30
Continue on NY 415
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East High Street
31
Turn left onto Steuben Street
80 ft
·
6 sec
·
Steuben Street
32
Turn right onto West High Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
West High Street
33
Turn left onto Rand Avenue
287 ft
·
18 sec
·
Rand Avenue
34
Turn left
135 ft
·
9 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 5h 11m, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best. Consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic leaving New York City. The $42 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially given the longest stretch of 75.7 miles on I 86 where services might be less frequent. While the route is efficient, planning for one stop is recommended for fuel or a quick break to keep you refreshed for the 256-mile 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 128 miles from New York City, NY, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Painted Post, 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 256 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 86 for about 75.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 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
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Bou...
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
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
$42.14 one way
$84.28 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $45.57 | $91.13 |
| premium | $4.92 | $49.62 | $99.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.52 | $113.04 |
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
$42
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.88 | $12.29 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.84 | $16.38 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Painted Post, NY
Afternoon in Painted Post on Sunday
Local time
12:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live 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
3 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 11m 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.
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...
0 mi from route
Free
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 86 and I 81, offering a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75.7 miles on I 86, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While predominantly highway, the route does incorporate other main roads like Christopher Columbus Highway, which might offer a slight change of scenery before you rejoin the faster routes. Expect a steady, functional driving experience for most of the 5h 11m trip.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.7 mi on I 86.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. 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 Effort
10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 256 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Painted Post, NY, road signs point toward Del Water Gap and Mahwah.
Del Water Gap
28.5 mi in
|
~39m
Mahwah
28.8 mi in
|
~39m
|
via I 80W
About the Cities
Starting in New York City, NY
Full guide →“The City That Never Sleeps” · Founded 1624
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 256 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.7 miles on I 86. 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.
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 Painted Post, 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 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Painted Post, NY before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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