Broome Gateway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Patchogue, NY to Tonawanda, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 12m
Distance
433.4 mi
698 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$70
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
53 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 4m
★
6 AM
9h 12m
8 AM
9h 29m
10 AM
9h 18m
12 PM
9h 17m
3 PM
9h 19m
5 PM
9h 28m
8 PM
9h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Patchogue, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Tonawanda, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Patchogue, NY to Tonawanda, NY is 433.4 miles and takes about 9h 12m via New York State Thruway and I 81, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York State, traversing the Northeast region. While it's possible to make this drive in a single day, the 9+ hour estimate suggests a more relaxed pace might be preferable. Consider breaking it into two days to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
216.7 miles from Patchogue, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 99.6 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 81 | 97.3 mi | 1h 55m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 68.2 mi | 1h 20m |
| Long Island Expressway | 35.9 mi | 48m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| Clinton Street | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| East Lake Road | 9.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 168 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical · worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Patchogue, NY and Tonawanda, NY.
1
Start on South Ocean Avenue
460 ft
·
24 sec
·
South Ocean Avenue
2
Turn left onto Lake Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Lake Street
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 19
64 ft
·
2 sec
·
Holbrook Road
4
Continue on CR 19
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Holbrook Road
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 19
36 ft
·
0 sec
·
Waverly Avenue
6
Continue on CR 19
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Waverly Avenue
7
Continue on CR 19
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Patchogue-Holbrook Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto Express Drive North
231 ft
·
4 sec
·
Express Drive North
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 495 west: New York
10
Merge onto I 495
36 mi
·
48 min
·
Long Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto CI
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cross Island Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 295
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Throgs Neck Bridge
16
Continue on I 295
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Throgs Neck Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 295
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
19
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
20
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 95 EXPR; NJTP
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 80
68 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Keystone Shortway
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 293
Toward I 380 North: Scranton
31
Continue on I 380
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 380
Use the straight lane.
32
Merge onto I 81
58 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 81
Use the straight lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi
·
43 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 52
Toward NY 13: Cortland
36
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft
·
5 sec
·
Clinton Avenue
37
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Locust Avenue
38
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Albany Street
39
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
40
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Clinton Street
41
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
East Lake Road
42
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 41
43
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi
·
13 min
·
East Lake Road
44
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Lake Street
45
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
East Genesee Street
46
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Fulton Street
47
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Arterial West
48
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Chase Street
Use the left lane.
49
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Auburn Road
50
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
NY 318
51
Continue on NY 318
319 ft
·
10 sec
·
NY 318
Use the right lane.
52
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 414
Use the right lane.
53
Continue on NY 414
217 ft
·
11 sec
·
Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
54
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Use the left lane.
55
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 West: Buffalo
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Merge onto I 90
100 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
New York State Thruway
57
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 50
Toward I 290: Niagara Falls
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on I 290
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
59
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 2
Toward NY 425: Colvin Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
60
Turn right onto NY 425
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Twin Cities Memorial Highway
61
Turn left onto Fillmore Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Fillmore Avenue
62
Turn left onto Fremont Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Fremont Street
63
Turn right onto Young Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Young Street
64
Continue on Broad Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Broad Street
65
Turn right onto NY 265
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Seymour Street
66
Arrive at destination
NY 265
Trip Plan
Given the 9 hour 12 minute estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to leave early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.6-mile segment on the New York State Thruway, as services can be spaced out. The majority of this drive involves surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and more frequent intersections.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 216.7 miles from Patchogue, NY, or about 4h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 95 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.7 miles or 4h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 216.7 miles or 4h 35m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tonawanda, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Patchogue, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Patchogue, NY
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Tonawanda, NY
Aim for roughly 217 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Patchogue, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
217 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Bethlehem, PAOvernight Options
Night 1
217 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bethlehem, PA after about 217 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 216.7 miles from Patchogue, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before New York State Thruway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 217 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Penn-Can Travel Plaza
0 mi from route
Rest area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pembroke Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Whitney Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Scottsville Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clifton Springs Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Junius Ponds Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Seneca Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Ontario Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Clarence Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Crescent Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Long Island Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pennsylvania Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Onvo Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Fred R. Harrison Service Complex
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 455 decision points cluster between mile 41.4 and 57.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
41.4 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge, Kennedy Airport
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 31N-S
Toward Cross Island Parkway, Whitestone Bridge,...
10
41.7 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight right at fork toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 31N
Toward Cross Island Parkway North, Whitestone B...
8
45 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx, New England
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 33
Toward I 295 North: Throgs Neck Bridge, Bronx,...
8
57.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
57.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.44 one way
$140.87 round trip
$4.13/gal
25.4 MPG avg
152 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $76.24 | $152.47 |
| premium | $4.87 | $83.03 | $166.06 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $92.19 | $184.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $27.81
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Throgs Neck Bridge
$6.55
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)
$4.98
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.28
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
$70
Tolls
$28
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$228–$338
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
53 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Randolph, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Denville, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
EV Connect Charging Station
Dover, New Jersey
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ChargeSmart EV Charging Station
Auburn, New York
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Auburn, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Denville, New Jersey
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Syosset, New York
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Woodbury, New York
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 19
Other: 16
EV Connect: 9
Tesla: 3
ViaLynk: 2
Shell Recharge: 1
FLO: 1
Tesla Destination: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 130 | 1 | $45.51 | $20.80 |
| Efficient EV | 108.4 | 1 | $37.92 | $17.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 173.4 | 2 | $60.68 | $27.74 |
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Patchogue, NY
Afternoon in Patchogue on Sunday
Local time
12:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
SE 6 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
Destination
Tonawanda, NY
Afternoon in Tonawanda on Sunday
Local time
12:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Rain Showers
E 13 mph
78% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 24 at 11:36AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
9h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
View on nps.gov
Fire Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 313.9
View on nps.gov
Women's Rights National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 328.8
View on nps.gov
Stonewall National Monument
National Monument
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 59.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 44% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on highways is 99.6 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway. Expect to encounter numerous exits and potential traffic as you navigate through populated areas before transitioning to more open cruising on I 81.
Only 44% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
66 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on New York State Thruway.
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 41.4 miles in.
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 45 significant decision points across 433.4 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 41.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Patchogue, NY and Tonawanda, NY, road signs point toward Kennedy Airport, Cross Island Parkway North, Bronx, New England, Upper Level and Njtp South: Hackensack - among others.
Kennedy Airport
41.4 mi in
|
~59m
Cross Island Parkway North
41.7 mi in
|
~1h
Bronx
45 mi in
|
~1h 5m
New England
45 mi in
|
~1h 5m
Upper Level
54.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Hackensack
57.2 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Hackensack
59.8 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Albany
232.6 mi in
|
~4h 54m
|
via I 81
About the Cities
Starting in Patchogue, NY
Full guide →Arriving in Tonawanda, NY
Full guide →Tonawanda is the name of both a city in the Northtowns of Erie County, New York, and the unincorporated suburban township that surrounds it. The incorporated village of Kenmore also makes up part of the Town of Tonawanda. All three of these places are covered in this article.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
9h 12m 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 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 217 miles on day one.
Expect about $27.81 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 41 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 Tonawanda, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Fire Island National Seashore (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tonawanda, NY before the return drive.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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