Trip from Otisco, NY to Manhattan, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 57m

Distance

243.6 mi

392 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 44m ★

6 AM

4h 58m

8 AM

5h 25m

10 AM

5h 7m

12 PM

5h 4m

3 PM

5h 8m

5 PM

5h 23m

8 PM

4h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Otisco, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

borough of New York City, New York, United States

Manhattan, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 243.6-mile drive from Otisco, NY, to Manhattan, NY, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in under 5 hours. With an estimated fuel cost of around $40, it's an economical option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-81, the Keystone Shortway, and I-380, making it a predictable and efficient route. The Northeast region offers a consistent backdrop for this relatively short expedition. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

121.8 miles from Otisco, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 81	111.2 mi	2h 11m
Keystone Shortway	80 mi	1h 37m
I 380	23.6 mi	25m
State Route 80	7 mi	9m
Christopher Columbus Highway	5.5 mi	5m
Henry Hudson Parkway	4.2 mi	6m
I 84	3.7 mi	4m
I 95 EXPR	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 81 — 111.2 mi, about 2h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Otisco, NY and Manhattan, NY.

Start on NY 80

7.0 mi · 9 min · State Route 80

Turn right onto Lake Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Lake Road

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 81 South

Merge onto I 81

58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 81

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81

53 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 81

Toward I 81 South: Scranton Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 6

Exit 187 Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 84; I 380

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 84; I 380

Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, Milford Use the straight lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg

Merge onto I 80

80 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Keystone Shortway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

5.5 mi · 5 min · Christopher Columbus Highway

Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower Level Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 70A-B Toward Leonia, Teaneck Use the slight right lane.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 70A Toward Leonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto CR 56

454 ft · 9 sec · Degraw Avenue

Continue on CR 56

1.1 mi · 2 min · Fort Lee Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 56

469 ft · 13 sec · Main Street

Take the ramp

472 ft · 12 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge

Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Bergen Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

312 ft · 4 sec

Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level

Merge onto I 95 EXPR

0.3 mi · 20 sec · I 95 EXPR

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 95 EXPR

Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9

0.5 mi · 45 sec · George Washington Bridge (upper level)

Take the exit onto US 9

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 9

Exit 1A Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward NY 9A South: Henry Hudson Parkway, Downtown Use the straight lane.

Merge onto HH; NY 9A

4.2 mi · 6 min · Henry Hudson Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 Technology Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West 79th Street

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West 79th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Broadway

Turn right onto West 86th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · West 86th Street

Continue on 86th Street Transverse

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 86th Street Transverse

Toward East Side Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

86th Street Transverse

Trip Plan

For this approximately 5-hour journey, consider an early morning departure from Otisco to maximize your time in Manhattan and potentially avoid the heaviest traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for fuel or a brief break to keep your momentum. The $40 fuel estimate is a helpful budget point, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed. A key tip for this route is to stay alert during the 111.2-mile stretch on I-81, as it's the longest continuous segment where paying attention to traffic flow is crucial.

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 121.8 miles from Otisco, NY, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 121.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 58m

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 Otisco, 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 Otisco, NY

This is one driving day of about 243.6 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Otisco, 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 111.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Rockland County, New York, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ramapo, NY

122 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

Binghamton, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 121.8 miles from Otisco, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

0.6 mi

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, NY

0.6 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cafe Amrita

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New York, New York

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12122220683

Visit website

Aleef Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New York, New York

2.4 mi

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Long Island City, New York

2.7 mi

Paola's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $50 to $10

New York, New York

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+12127941890

Visit website

Effy's Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12122806200

Visit website

Central Park Boathouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive

New York, NY

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17189739339

Visit website

THEP Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

New York, New York

Hours: 11:30 am–3:30 pm

+12128999995

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

New York, New York

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12125642723

Artpresso Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+19178327021

Visit website

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19178326726

Visit website

51st Bakery & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Long Island City, New York

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+17187070554

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

New York, New York

Flying J EV Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route

New Milford, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15704652974

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

New York, New York

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Parsippany, New Jersey

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+19732637254

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 118.4 and 237.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 22m 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...

233 mi into trip | ~4h 38m 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...

233.3 mi into trip | ~4h 38m 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

237.1 mi into trip | ~4h 45m 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...

237.6 mi into trip | ~4h 46m 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

$40.10 one way

$80.20 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 85 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.52	$43.36	$86.72
premium	$4.92	$47.21	$94.43
diesel	$5.61	$53.78	$107.57

Estimated Tolls: $16.00

George Washington Bridge $16.00

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

$40

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	73.1	0	$25.58	$11.69
Efficient EV	60.9	0	$21.31	$9.74
EV Truck/SUV	97.4	1	$34.10	$15.59

Gas CO2

85 kg

EV CO2

29 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Otisco, NY

Afternoon in Otisco on Tuesday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manhattan, NY

Afternoon in Manhattan on Tuesday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Chance Rain Showers

NW 8 mph 28% chance Live forecast

63°F

Ramapo, NY

122 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

18 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

4h 57m 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

Expect a largely highway-focused experience, with 62% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.2 miles on I-81, offering a sustained period of consistent speed. This route provides a profile of steady progress, predominantly on well-maintained highways, minimizing the need for complex navigation. While not a winding scenic byway, the consistent road conditions allow for a relaxed pace as you cover the distance.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.4 miles in near US 6.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 26 significant decision points across 243.6 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 118.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 233.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Otisco, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.

Mt Pocono

118.4 mi in | ~2h 22m | via US 6

Milford

119.2 mi in | ~2h 23m | via I 84; I 380

About the Cities

Starting in Otisco, NY

Full guide →

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

Full guide →

Founded 1624

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

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 57m. Total distance: 243.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.00 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 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 Manhattan, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Otisco, NY to Manhattan, NY

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Paola's

Cafe Amrita

Paola's

Effy's Cafe

Central Park Boathouse

THEP Thai Restaurant

Park Cafe

OBAO | Midtown Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant

Le Tout Va Bien - French Restaurant

Hapgoods Restaurant & Bar

Cafe Amrita

Aleef Cafe

Artpresso Cafe

Sweetleaf Coffee Roasters

51st Bakery & Cafe

Duaa’s Cafe

Le Cafe Coffee

Amano Cafe

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

Flying J EV Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Central Park

The Great Lawn

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ancient Playground

Shakespeare Garden

Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation

Hayden Planetarium

Veterans Memorial Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Otisco, NY

Manhattan, NY

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 57m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

General Grant National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Stonewall National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Federal Hall National Memorial

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Otisco, NY

Arriving in Manhattan, NY

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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