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Trip from Owego, NY to New York City, 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 8m

Distance

196.4 mi

316 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 1m

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

Downtown Owego, NY, NY

Owego, NY

Wikimedia Commons

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Owego to New York City is 196.4 miles and takes about 4h 8m via Keystone Shortway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Northeast region of New York straight into the bustling Northeast region of New York City. With a mostly highway profile, you'll spend a significant portion of your time covering ground efficiently, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Plan for about 63% of your travel to be on highways, allowing for a relatively quick transit between these two points.

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

98.2 miles from Owego, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Keystone Shortway 63.3 mi 1h 19m
I 81 53.4 mi 1h 3m
I 380 23.6 mi 25m
Southern Tier Expressway 23.5 mi 28m
Essex Freeway 15.8 mi 20m
I 84 3.7 mi 4m
Holland Tunnel 2 mi 4m
Southside Drive 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Keystone Shortway — 63.3 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Owego, NY and New York City, NY.

1

Start on NY 96

310 ft · 15 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto NY 17C; NY 96

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Park Street
3

Turn slight left onto Susquehanna River Bridge Road

89 ft · 3 sec · Susquehanna River Bridge Road
4

Continue on NY 96

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Susquehanna River Bridge Road
5

Turn left onto NY 434

2.0 mi · 3 min · Southside Drive
6

Take the ramp

372 ft · 9 sec
7

Merge onto I 86

24 mi · 28 min · Southern Tier Expressway
8

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.
9

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.
10

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.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

24 mi · 25 min · I 380
Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
12

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
13

Merge onto I 80

63 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47A Toward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
15

Continue on I 280

16 mi · 20 min · Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 17A Toward CR 508 East: Jersey City
17

Merge onto CR 508

2.0 mi · 3 min · Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on NJ 7

0.5 mi · 43 sec · New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Use the straight lane.
22

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
23

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
24

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
26

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec
Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.
28

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the straight lane.
30

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 8m estimated drive time, departing Owego in the morning is a good strategy to avoid the heaviest city traffic. You'll have plenty of daylight to complete the 196.4-mile trip, so you can afford to be flexible with any brief stops you might need. The fuel cost is estimated at around $32, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Owego. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from the Keystone Shortway and I 81 to I 380 as you approach your destination, as this is a key point for navigation.

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 98.2 miles from Owego, NY, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 43 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 98.2 miles or 1h 58m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Owego, 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 Owego, NY

This is one driving day of about 196.4 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Owego, 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 63.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Stroudsburg, PA

98 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

Deposit, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

City of Scranton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from Owego, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 26 and 191.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
26 mi into trip | ~33m in | I 81

Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
79.4 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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...
6
83.9 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | I 380

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 4 Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
7
191.5 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in

Take the exit toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

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 NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
8
191.7 mi into trip | ~3h 56m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.33 one way

$64.66 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.52 $34.96 $69.92
premium $4.92 $38.07 $76.13
diesel $5.61 $43.36 $86.73

Estimated Tolls: $16.14

Holland Tunnel $16.00
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

$32

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.62 $9.43
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.19 $7.86
EV Truck/SUV 78.6 0 $27.50 $12.57

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Owego, NY

Morning in Owego on Tuesday

Local time

6:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Tuesday

Local time

6:50 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

7 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 8m 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 route is mostly highway, with 63% of the total mileage on high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a major change in road type at 63.3 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Expect a steady pace for much of the drive, with the highway sections offering efficient travel. As you get closer to New York City, be prepared for an increase in traffic density and exit frequency.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on Keystone Shortway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Keystone Shortway and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26 miles in near I 81.

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 22 significant decision points across 196.4 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 26 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Owego, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford and Newark.

Mt Pocono

79.4 mi in | ~1h 36m | via US 6

Milford

80.2 mi in | ~1h 38m | via I 84; I 380

Newark

171.8 mi in | ~3h 28m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 8m. Total distance: 196.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $16.14 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 New York City, 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 26 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.9 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at New York City, 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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