Nichols, NY to Manhattan, NY is 269.4 miles and takes about 5h 32m via Keystone Shortway, Appalachian Thruway, and US Highway 15, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, so plan for a more relaxed pace rather than high-speed highway cruising. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
134.7 miles from Nichols, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
163 mi
3h 10m
Appalachian Thruway
62.5 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 15
11.7 mi
16m
Route 49
6.5 mi
11m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Henry Hudson Parkway
4.2 mi
6m
Westbranch Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Marsh Road
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 163 mi, about 3h 10m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 364 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,523 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,258
Quietest
1 AM
~393 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nichols, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Mack Road
0.2 mi·46 sec·Mack Road
2
Turn sharp right onto County Route 86
1.0 mi·2 min·County Route 86
3
Continue on Marsh Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Marsh Road
4
Turn right onto Lakeview Drive
0.2 mi·21 sec·Lakeview Drive
5
Turn left onto PA 49
6.5 mi·11 min·Route 49
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 15 South: Mansfield
7
Merge onto I 99; US 15
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·Appalachian Thruway
8
Take the exit onto US 15
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 15
Exit 27AToward US 15 South: LewisburgUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 15
159 ft·5 sec·US 15
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto US 15
0.9 mi·2 min·Market Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn slight left onto US 15
1.3 mi·2 min·Montgomery Pike
12
Continue on US 15
12 mi·16 min·US Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 15
2.9 mi·3 min·Westbranch Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 80 East: BloomsburgUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
16
Merge onto I 80
163 mi·3 hr 10 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
22
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
24
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
25
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
27
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
29
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
30
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, DowntownUse the straight lane.
33
Merge onto HH; NY 9A
4.2 mi·6 min·Henry Hudson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of TechnologyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi·51 sec·West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi·56 sec·Broadway
37
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 86th Street
38
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi·35 sec·86th Street Transverse
Toward East SideUse the straight / left lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Nichols, NY early in the morning to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the roughly 5.5-hour drive. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but it’s wise to plan for a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 budget is an estimate and fuel availability can vary, especially on the longer surface road sections. Pay attention to local speed limits as you transition off any highway portions, as they are likely to be lower and more strictly enforced.
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 134.7 miles from Nichols, NY, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163 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 59 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.7 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nichols, 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 Nichols, NY
This is one driving day of about 269.4 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Nichols, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 163 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.5 and 263.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 15
Take the exit onto US 15 toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27A
Toward US 15 South: Lewisburg
8
258.7 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
259 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
262.9 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
263.3 mi into trip|~5h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downt...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.16 one way
$94.31 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$51.10
$102.20
premium
$5.23
$55.47
$110.94
diesel
$6.28
$66.57
$133.13
Estimated Tolls: $20.38
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Appalachian Thruway
(62.5 mi)$4.38
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
$47
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.8
0
$28.29
$12.93
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.57
$10.78
EV Truck/SUV
107.8
1
$37.72
$17.24
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Nichols, NY
Afternoon
in Nichols on Saturday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Afternoon
in Manhattan on Saturday
Local time
3:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
39°F
Litchfield, NY
135 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 269.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only about 9% on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 163 miles on the Keystone Shortway, which will likely feel like longer stretches of rural cruising. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and potential slowdowns as you transition from any highway segments to the predominant surface road profile.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 72.5 miles in near US 15.
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 28 significant decision points across 269.4 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 72.5 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
•Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
•Metropolitan Museum of Art — art museum in New York City, United States
•Central Park — public park at the center of Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 269.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $20.38 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. 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.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Manhattan, 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.5 miles (US 15): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Stonewall 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, NY before the return drive.
