If you are looking to escape New York City for the day, a trip to Patterson, NY, covers 68.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This highway-focused drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel, making this a very affordable jaunt through the Northeast. Since the entire route remains within New York State, you won't have to worry about crossing regional borders or navigating complex interstate transitions. It is a straightforward, practical commute that moves you efficiently from the city to a quieter setting.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.3 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 684
27.5 mi
32m
NY 22
8.8 mi
13m
Hutchinson River Parkway
8 mi
11m
Henry Hudson Parkway
4.7 mi
7m
Major Deegan Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
3.2 mi
4m
New York State Thruway
1.9 mi
2m
12th Avenue
1.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 684
— 27.5 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Patterson, NY.
1
Start on Broadway
79 ft·7 sec·Broadway
2
Turn right onto Chambers Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Chambers Street
3
Turn right onto NY 9A
1.8 mi·5 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on NY 9A
0.4 mi·1 min·11th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on NY 9A
1.8 mi·5 min·12th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on NY 9A
0.8 mi·1 min·West Side Highway
7
Continue on HH; NY 9A
4.7 mi·7 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 14Toward I 95: George Washington BrigdeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: Cross Bronx ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 1C-DToward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee StadiumUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1CToward I 87 North: AlbanyUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 87
4.5 mi·6 min·Major Deegan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 87
1.9 mi·2 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
517 ft·12 sec
Exit 4Toward Cross County ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Central Park Avenue
424 ft·12 sec·Central Park Avenue
17
Take the ramp
457 ft·11 sec
Toward Cross County Parkway EastUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward Kimball Avenue, Bronx Parkway, West Broad StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
3.2 mi·4 min·Cross County Parkway (local lanes)
Use the straight lane.
20
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
8.0 mi·11 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 16AToward I 684 North: BrewsterUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 684
26 mi·30 min·I 684
23
Continue on I 684
1.3 mi·1 min·I 684
Exit |; 9W|9E
24
Continue on NY 22
8.8 mi·13 min·NY 22
25
Turn left onto NY 311
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 311
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
NY 311
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but keep in mind that traffic can fluctuate significantly depending on your departure time from New York City. Since there are no mandatory stops required for a 1-hour and 41-minute drive, you can easily complete the journey in one push. We recommend checking local traffic conditions before heading out to ensure your time on I-684 remains smooth. Given the $11 fuel estimate, fill up your tank before leaving the city to avoid potential price hikes closer to your destination. Use your extra time in Patterson to enjoy a relaxed pace once you arrive, knowing your travel logistics are handled.
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 34.3 miles from New York City, NY, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 15 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 57m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Patterson, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New York City, NY
This is one driving day of about 68.7 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from New York City, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 684 for about 27.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 30 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward I 95: George Washington Brigde
8
11.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany, Yankee Stadium
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 1C-D
Toward I 87 South, I 87 North: Queens, Albany,...
8
11.5 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1C
Toward I 87 North: Albany
9
18.7 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Kimball Avenue, Bronx Parkway, West Broad Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Kimball Avenue, Bronx Parkway, West Broa...
8
30 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 684 North: Brewster
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16A
Toward I 684 North: Brewster
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.31 one way
$22.62 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$12.23
$24.46
premium
$4.92
$13.32
$26.63
diesel
$5.61
$15.17
$30.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
New York State Thruway
(1.9 mi)$0.09
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
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.6
0
$7.21
$3.30
Efficient EV
17.2
0
$6.01
$2.75
EV Truck/SUV
27.5
0
$9.62
$4.40
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 18, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
Destination
Patterson, NY
Morning
in Patterson on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°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
18 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
1h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
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?
Expect a drive defined by speed and efficiency, as roughly 85% of your journey is spent on highways. You will begin by navigating the Hutchinson River Parkway before transitioning onto I-684 and finishing your trek on NY-22. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 27.5-mile run on I-684, which provides a consistent pace for much of the trip. While the road starts with the high-traffic flow of the city outskirts, the character of the drive settles into a more rhythmic highway experience as you head north. This is a functional route designed for getting you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on I 684.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 684 and NY 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
480 ft18 ft
Total Climb
821 ft
Total Descent
411 ft
Highest Point
480 ft
~60.1 mi in
Elevation Range
462 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 Patterson, NY, road signs point toward Albany, Yankee Stadium and Cross County Parkway East.
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
This 68.7-mile drive is an easy same-day round trip, perfect for a quick weekend escape from the city.
Family Friendly
This drive is short enough at 1h 41m for kids, but the 10/10 complexity means you'll need to be extra vigilant with navigation.
Solo Traveler
At under 2 hours and mostly highway, this route is a comfortable solo drive, though the 10/10 complexity might be a bit much if you're looking for a truly relaxing cruise.
First-Time Driver
With 85% highway driving and a manageable 1h 41m duration, this 68.7-mile route is a good, albeit complex (10/10), option for new drivers to get comfortable on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.5 miles on I 684. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.09 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.
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 Patterson, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Patterson, NY before heading back.
