Origin
Philadelphia, NY
Morning in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 45m
Distance
326.1 mi
525 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Philadelphia, NY
Wikimedia Commons
New York City, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Philadelphia, NY to New York City, NY is 326.1 miles and takes about 6h 45m via New York State Thruway and State Highway 12, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip heads south from the Northeast region of New York down to the Northeast region's major hub in New York City. With most of the drive on surface roads, expect a more typical driving experience than a pure highway sprint. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, 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
163 miles from Philadelphia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Thruway | 201.9 mi | 3h 53m |
| State Highway 12 | 22.8 mi | 31m |
| NJ 17 | 22.7 mi | 29m |
| Bea Luck Road | 19.8 mi | 23m |
| State Highway 26 | 13.4 mi | 19m |
| Erwin Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Main Street | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Martin Street Road | 6.1 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Philadelphia, NY and New York City, NY.
Start on Sand Street
Turn left onto US 11; NY 26
Turn left onto NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26; NY 126
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 26
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Continue on NY 12
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 49
Continue on I 790; NY 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 3
Continue on US 1; US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9
Take the exit
Merge onto NJ 139
Continue on NJ 139
Continue on I 78
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
Take the exit
Continue on Beach Street
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
Turn right onto Broadway
Arrive at destination
Given the 6h 45m duration, leaving Philadelphia, NY in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. While you can complete this trip in one day, the 201.9-mile longest stretch on the New York State Thruway means you can comfortably cover a large portion of the distance before needing to stop. Plan for at least one stop to refuel and stretch, especially as you transition from the Thruway onto State Highway 12 and NJ 17. The $54 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on gas prices as you travel.
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 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 72 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163 miles or 3h 28m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New York City, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia, NY
This is one driving day of about 326.1 miles and 6h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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.
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 163 miles from Philadelphia, 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 201.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 172.3 and 321.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17 toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$53.68 one way
$107.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $58.04 | $116.09 |
| premium | $4.92 | $63.20 | $126.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.00 | $144.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $26.09
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
$54
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.24 | $15.65 |
| Efficient EV | 81.5 | 0 | $28.53 | $13.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130.4 | 1 | $45.65 | $20.87 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in New York City on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
56°F
Stockport, NY
163 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive features a significant portion on surface roads, with highways making up 23% of the total distance. You'll encounter a 201.9-mile stretch on the New York State Thruway, which will likely feel like the most direct part of your travels. After exiting the Thruway, expect to navigate more local roads, potentially with increased traffic and more frequent exits as you get closer to urban areas. This transition from limited-access highway to surface streets is a key aspect of the drive.
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 172.3 miles in near New York State Thruway.
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 21 significant decision points across 326.1 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 172.3 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.5 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.9 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Philadelphia, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
Genesee Street South
Boston
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 45m. Total distance: 326.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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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Return Trip
New York City, NY to Philadelphia, NYPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Philadelphia, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.