Traveling from New York City to Philadelphia, NY, covers 319.1 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive that stays entirely within New York state, it is manageable as a single-day trip if you are prepared for a steady pace. You should budget approximately $50 for fuel to complete the journey. While you will spend most of your time on major routes like the New York State Thruway, NY 17, and NJ 17, the drive is straightforward enough that you won't need to stress over complex navigation. It is a practical route for those heading north through the Northeast, though you should plan for at least one solid stop to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
159.6 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
117.5 mi
2h 15m
New York State Thruway
63 mi
1h 12m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
State Highway 26
13.4 mi
19m
State Highway 12
12 mi
16m
State Highway 28
11.7 mi
17m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 117.5 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Philadelphia, 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
118 mi·2 hr 15 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
63 mi·1 hr 12 min·New York State Thruway
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 29AToward NY 169: Little Falls, DolgevilleUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·54 sec·this road
29
Continue on NY 169
1.9 mi·2 min·NY 169
30
At end of road, turn left onto NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
0.7 mi·1 min·NY 5; NY 167; NY 169
31
Turn right onto NY 167
0.3 mi·36 sec·South Ann Street
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 169
9.7 mi·15 min·West Monroe Street
33
Continue on NY 28
3.2 mi·4 min·State Highway 28
34
Continue on NY 28
1.2 mi·1 min·Main Street
35
Continue on NY 28
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 28
36
Continue on NY 28
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
37
Continue on NY 8; NY 28
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 8
38
Turn right onto NY 28
6.0 mi·8 min·State Highway 28
39
Turn right onto NY 12
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 12
40
Continue on NY 12; NY 28
9.7 mi·11 min·Erwin Parkway
41
Continue on NY 12
0.8 mi·51 sec·State Highway 12
42
Continue on NY 12
20 mi·23 min·Bea Luck Road
43
Continue on NY 12
0.5 mi·1 min·Utica Boulevard
44
Continue on NY 12; NY 26
1.3 mi·3 min·South State Street
45
Continue on NY 26
13 mi·19 min·State Highway 26
46
Continue on NY 26
1.1 mi·1 min·Broad Street
47
Continue on NY 26
6.1 mi·10 min·Martin Street Road
48
Continue on NY 26
0.2 mi·25 sec·State Highway 26
49
Continue on NY 26
2.3 mi·3 min·Great Bend Road
50
Continue on NY 26
2.7 mi·3 min·Fort Drum Road
51
Continue on US 11; NY 26
6.7 mi·7 min·US 11; NY 26
52
Turn right onto Sand Street
141 ft·6 sec·Sand Street
53
Arrive at destination
Sand Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 44-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion near your starting point. Since the route requires one planned stop, time it to coincide with your transition between the major highways to maximize your efficiency. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 117.5-mile stretch on NY 17, as service availability can fluctuate. Since this is a one-day trip, keep your itinerary flexible so you can adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic on the Thruway. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to map out your refueling point before starting the long NY 17 segment to ensure you aren't searching for stations during the most remote part of your trek.
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 159.6 miles from New York City, NY, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.5 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 70 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.6 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Philadelphia, 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 319.1 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 NY 17 for about 117.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 215.1 — 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
34.6 mi into trip|~49m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
8
215.1 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville
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 29A
Toward NY 169: Little Falls, Dolgeville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.53 one way
$105.05 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$56.80
$113.59
premium
$4.92
$61.85
$123.70
diesel
$5.61
$70.45
$140.91
Estimated Tolls: $19.15
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(63 mi)$3.15
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
$53
Tolls
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.7
1
$33.51
$15.32
Efficient EV
79.8
0
$27.92
$12.76
EV Truck/SUV
127.6
1
$44.67
$20.42
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:35 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
Philadelphia, NY
Morning
in Philadelphia on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°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
21 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 44m 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 is defined by a heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 63% of the journey taking place on highways. You will experience a mix of fast-paced transit, including a significant 117.5-mile stretch along NY 17, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the route. Expect the road's personality to shift from the high-traffic corridors near the city to the more consistent rhythm of the New York State Thruway. Navigating these segments requires you to maintain focus through varying traffic densities as you transition between the primary roads. The overall experience is functional and efficient, prioritizing steady movement across the state's infrastructure over technical or winding local roads.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and New York State Thruway. 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 Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 319.1 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 11.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,240 ft34 ft
Total Climb
1,693 ft
Total Descent
1,237 ft
Highest Point
1,240 ft
~250.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,206 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 Philadelphia, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Dolgeville.
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
Clocking in at 6 hours and 44 minutes of driving, this route is a solid full-day commitment, making it perfectly feasible for a dedicated weekend trip from NYC to Philly.
Family Friendly
With a complexity rating of 9/10 and no EV fast chargers, this 319.1-mile drive requires careful planning for families. You'll want to have plenty of entertainment ready for the kids during the 6h 44m journey, especially with the high navigation complexity.
Solo Traveler
This 319.1-mile drive, with its 9/10 complexity, is a manageable solo undertaking if you pace yourself. The highway focus means you'll cover ground efficiently, but keep an eye on navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.15 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 Philadelphia, 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 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.
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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Philadelphia, NY before the return drive.
