Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
35m
Distance
18.1 mi
29 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
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
Traveling from New York City to Staten Island is a quick, 18.1-mile journey that typically takes about 35 minutes under normal conditions. Because this trip is so short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Gowanus Expressway, and the Staten Island Expressway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route within the Northeast region. It serves as a straightforward connection between two of New York's boroughs, making it an efficient choice for those looking to cross between the city and the island without a long commitment behind the wheel.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gowanus Expressway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Staten Island Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Brooklyn-Queens Expressway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Manor Road | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Brooklyn Bridge | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Richmond Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Rockland Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Staten Island, NY.
Start on Broadway
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Turn right onto Centre Street
Continue on Brooklyn Bridge
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn right onto Cadman Plaza West
Continue on Old Fulton Street
Turn left onto Hicks Street
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 278
Continue on I 278
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
Continue on I 278
Keep slight right at fork onto I 278
Continue on I 278
Continue on I 278
Take the exit
Continue on Reon Avenue
Continue on Reon Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto North Gannon Avenue
Turn left onto Manor Road
Continue on Manor Road
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
Continue on Richmond Road
Turn left onto Kensico Street
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
Continue on Corona Avenue
Turn right onto Croft Court
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 13.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Chambers Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Centre Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 278: Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Cadman Plaza West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Hicks Street toward Brooklyn-Queens Expressway west
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Slosson Avenue, Todt Hill Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$2.98 one way
$5.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $3.22 | $6.44 |
| premium | $4.92 | $3.51 | $7.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.00 | $7.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in New York City on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Cloudy then Patchy Fog
Destination
Morning in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a mixed driving experience that relies heavily on major infrastructure to carry you through the city. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, so be prepared for a steady pace rather than a scenic, leisurely cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4.7-mile segment on the Gowanus Expressway, which serves as a key artery for the trip. Since you won't be making any scheduled stops, the drive maintains a consistent, functional rhythm from start to finish. You should anticipate a high-traffic environment typical of these major expressways as you transition between the boroughs.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chambers Street.
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 18 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chambers Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Centre Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
34 ft
Total Descent
25 ft
Highest Point
44 ft
~6.8 mi in
Elevation Range
28 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New York City, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Cadman Plaza West and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West.
Cadman Plaza West
Brooklyn-Queens Expressway West
“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
Founded 1683
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
This 18.1-mile drive is an easy same-day round trip, perfect for a quick weekend escape. You'll spend only about 35 minutes driving each way.
Family Friendly
The 9/10 complexity could be challenging with kids, but the 18.1-mile distance and 35-minute drive time make it short enough for most families.
Solo Traveler
At 18.1 miles and 35 minutes, this is a comfortable solo distance, though the 9/10 complexity might be a bit much for an 'engaging' drive.
EV Driver
This route is short enough at 18.1 miles that an EV can easily make the round trip on a single charge, especially since there are 0 DC fast chargers listed.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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