If you are planning a quick getaway from New York City to Pomona, you are looking at a manageable 38.8-mile journey that typically takes about 57 minutes under normal conditions. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you can easily head out and return without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting about $6 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. The trip keeps you entirely within the Northeast region, transitioning from the dense urban core of the city to the suburban landscape of Rockland County. Given the short duration, it is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over exploration.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Garden State Parkway
10.7 mi
12m
NJ 17
9.2 mi
10m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
South Main Street
2.9 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.8 mi
3m
State Highway 45
1.4 mi
2m
NY 59
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Garden State Parkway
— 10.7 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Pomona, 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
1.8 mi·2 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
22
Merge onto GSP
11 mi·12 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 14-1Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward NanuetUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto CR 35
0.2 mi·29 sec·South Pascack Road
26
Turn right onto CR 35A
0.2 mi·27 sec·Forman Road
27
Take the ramp onto Forman Road
53 ft·7 sec·Forman Road
28
Turn left onto NY 59
0.9 mi·1 min·NY 59
29
Turn right onto NY 45
2.9 mi·5 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on NY 45
1.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 45
31
Turn left onto CR 86
0.5 mi·1 min·Pomona Road
32
Arrive at destination
CR 86
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 19.4 miles from New York City, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 32.4 — 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
7
31.9 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 14-1
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City
7
32.4 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Nanuet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Nanuet
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.39 one way
$12.77 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$6.91
$13.81
premium
$4.92
$7.52
$15.04
diesel
$5.61
$8.57
$17.13
Estimated Tolls: $16.64
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(10.7 mi)$0.64
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$17
Total
$23
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
11.6
0
$4.07
$1.86
Efficient EV
9.7
0
$3.39
$1.55
EV Truck/SUV
15.5
0
$5.43
$2.48
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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 Tuesday
Local time
6:50 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
Pomona, NY
Morning
in Pomona on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 3 to 9 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
47°F
Inwood, NY
19 mi in
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
57m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 70% of this 38.8-mile trek is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of the Garden State Parkway, NJ 17, and NJ 3, which keeps the pace steady throughout the hour-long commute. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 10.7-mile segment on the Garden State Parkway, where you can settle into a consistent rhythm. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the transition between these major arterial roads requires you to stay alert for merging traffic. It is a functional, high-speed drive that is designed to get you to your destination as directly as possible.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 10.7 mi on Garden State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Garden State Parkway and NJ 17. 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
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 24 decision points packed into just 38.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
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
Mostly flat terrain
560 ft-4 ft
Total Climb
599 ft
Total Descent
180 ft
Highest Point
560 ft
~37.2 mi in
Elevation Range
564 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 Pomona, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, Gsp Toll North and Nanuet.
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 38.8-mile drive is an easy same-day round trip, perfect for a quick weekend escape from the city, taking under an hour each way.
Family Friendly
While the 38.8-mile distance is short enough for kids, the 10/10 complexity rating for navigation means you'll need to be extra attentive, which might not be ideal for a relaxed family outing.
Solo Traveler
At just 38.8 miles and 57 minutes, this highway-focused route is comfortable for a solo drive, though the 10/10 complexity might be a bit much for an 'engaging' experience.
EV Driver
This 38.8-mile trip is definitely short enough to complete on a single EV charge, with plenty of buffer time.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 10.7 miles on Garden State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.64 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.
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 Pomona, 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 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pomona, NY before heading back.
