Traveling from Newark to Brooklyn covers 314.9 miles across New York State, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 38 minutes of drive time. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it functions best as a single-day trip for those who prefer local roads over interstate travel. You should budget approximately $50 for fuel to complete the trek. Since you are moving from the upstate region down into the metropolitan area, the environment shifts significantly as you approach your destination. While the trip is manageable in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention 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
147.3 miles from Newark, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
98.8 mi
1h 57m
Keystone Shortway
63.3 mi
1h 19m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
Essex Freeway
15.8 mi
20m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
State Highway 41
9.8 mi
13m
Clark Street Road
9.6 mi
11m
Geneva Street
7.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 98.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on NY 88
32 ft·8 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto NY 31
1.3 mi·1 min·East Union Street
3
Continue on NY 31
4.5 mi·5 min·State Route 31
4
Continue on NY 31
0.2 mi·21 sec·Forgham Street
5
Turn right onto NY 14
7.6 mi·9 min·Geneva Street
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albany
8
Merge onto I 90
6.3 mi·7 min·New York State Thruway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 41Toward NY 414: Waterloo, ClydeUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
327 ft·7 sec
11
Continue on NY 414
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Route 414
12
Turn left onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
14
Continue on US 20; NY 5
9.6 mi·11 min·Clark Street Road
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto State Street
226 ft·12 sec·State Street
16
Turn left onto Dill Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·Dill Street
17
Continue on Loop Road
458 ft·16 sec·Loop Road
18
Turn left onto Genesee Street
5.5 mi·9 min·Genesee Street
19
Continue on US 20
2.2 mi·4 min·West Genesee Street Road
20
Turn right onto NY 41
0.5 mi·45 sec·East Lake Street
21
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
22
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
23
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
24
Continue on NY 41
9.8 mi·13 min·State Highway 41
25
Turn right onto NY 281
1.2 mi·2 min·North West Street
26
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 81 South: Binghamton
28
Merge onto I 81
45 mi·54 min·I 81
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
34
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
36
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
38
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
42
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
43
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
44
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
45
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
47
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
48
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
49
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
50
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
51
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
52
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
53
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
54
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
55
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
56
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
57
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 314.9-mile route, it is wise to start your journey early in the morning to maximize daylight for navigating local roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant steering and maneuvering can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Since you are not utilizing main highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and refill when you see a convenient station, as services may be more sporadic on local stretches compared to major interstates. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here; since the route is entirely local, you can easily adjust your pace or pull over safely if you need a break from the winding roads.
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 147.3 miles from Newark, NY, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.8 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 65 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newark, 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 Newark, NY
This is one driving day of about 294.6 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Newark, 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 I 81 for about 98.8 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.6 and 287.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
20.3 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
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 41
Toward NY 414: Waterloo, Clyde
9
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
282.9 mi into trip|~6h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
287.9 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.49 one way
$96.99 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$52.44
$104.87
premium
$4.92
$57.10
$114.20
diesel
$5.61
$65.04
$130.09
Estimated Tolls: $16.46
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(6.3 mi)$0.32
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.24
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Newark, NY
Late night
in Newark on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Late night
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 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
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
6h 26m 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.
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 284.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly engaging, turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, navigating instead via East Union Street, State Route 31, and Forgham Street. Because there are no long highway stretches, your longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on East Union Street, meaning you will encounter frequent changes in scenery and road layout. Be prepared for a technical driving experience that keeps you focused on your surroundings. This route demands constant engagement, making it ideal if you prefer backroads over the repetitive nature of high-speed travel.
Only 58% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.8 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 39 significant decision points across 294.6 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 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,949 ft49 ft
Total Climb
2,237 ft
Total Descent
2,640 ft
Highest Point
1,949 ft
~189.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,901 ft
Notable High Points
1,949 ft at ~189.4 miles+1,110 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newark, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Clyde, Mt Pocono, Milford and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.46 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 Brooklyn, 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 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.6 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Castle Clinton National Monument, Stonewall National Monument and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
