Origin
New York City, NY
Late night in New York City on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New York City, NY to Waterville, NY
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
229.7 mi
370 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
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
Waterville, NY
Clément Proust
Trip Overview
New York City, NY to Waterville, NY is 229.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m via NY 17, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast, beginning in the bustling environment of New York City and heading north into New York State. Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day journey. If you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without extensive detours, this route is a solid choice. It's designed for getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
114.8 miles from New York City, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY 17 | 119.5 mi | 2h 27m |
| State Highway 8 | 61.4 mi | 1h 16m |
| NJ 17 | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| Cherry Valley Turnpike | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| NJ 3 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Tonnelle Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Holland Tunnel | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New York City, NY and Waterville, 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
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: Rutherford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Use 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
14 mi
·
16 min
·
NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
26
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
152 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NY 17
105 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton
31
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
State Highway 10
32
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Oak Street
33
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 8
34
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Airport Road
35
Continue on NY 8
25 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 8
36
Continue on NY 8
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
37
Continue on NY 8
18 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 8
38
Continue on NY 8
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
39
Turn left onto US 20
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
State Street
40
Continue on US 20
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Cherry Valley Turnpike
41
Turn right onto NY 12
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
NY 12
42
Arrive at destination
NY 12
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m duration, leaving New York City in the morning should allow you to reach Waterville with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or a more substantial meal. The longest stretch on NY 17 is over 100 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but an early start will help you avoid potential traffic leaving the city.
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 114.8 miles from New York City, NY, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 51 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterville, 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 229.7 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 119.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.8 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 NY 17 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.5 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 50.5 — 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
48.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
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 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
7
50.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward NY 17 West: Binghamton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.81 one way
$75.62 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $40.88 | $81.77 |
| premium | $4.92 | $44.52 | $89.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.71 | $101.43 |
Estimated Tolls: $16.50
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Cherry Valley Turnpike
(7.2 mi)
$0.50
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
$38
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.16 | $14.70 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Waterville, NY
Late night in Waterville on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Monticello, NY
115 mi in
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
6 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
4h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on NY 17, which forms the backbone of this journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 119.5 miles on NY 17, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the primary roads are NY 17, State Highway 8, and NJ 17, the overall character is one of smooth, high-speed travel. This route is built for efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. 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
9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 229.7 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.
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 Waterville, NY, road signs point toward New York State Thruway North: Albany and Walton.
New York State Thruway North: Albany
34.6 mi in
|
~49m
|
via NY 17
Walton
156.1 mi in
|
~3h 20m
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 4h 56m. Total distance: 229.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.5 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.50 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 Waterville, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Waterville, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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