Skip to main content

Trip from Philadelphia, NY to New York City, NY

Pin this trip

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 34m ★
6 AM
6h 46m
8 AM
7h 9m
10 AM
6h 54m
12 PM
6h 52m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 39m

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

largest city in Pennsylvania, United States

Philadelphia, NY

Wikimedia Commons

most populous city in the United States

New York City, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: New York State Thruway — 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Sand Street

141 ft · 11 sec · Sand Street
2

Turn left onto US 11; NY 26

6.7 mi · 7 min · Main Street
3

Turn left onto NY 26

2.8 mi · 3 min · Fort Drum Road
4

Continue on NY 26

2.3 mi · 3 min · Great Bend Road
5

Continue on NY 26

0.2 mi · 25 sec · State Highway 26
6

Continue on NY 26

6.1 mi · 10 min · Martin Street Road
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on NY 26; NY 126

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Broad Street
8

Continue on NY 26

13 mi · 19 min · State Highway 26
9

Continue on NY 26

1.3 mi · 3 min · North State Street
10

Continue on NY 12

0.5 mi · 1 min · Utica Boulevard
11

Continue on NY 12

20 mi · 23 min · Bea Luck Road
12

Continue on NY 12

0.8 mi · 51 sec · State Highway 12
13

Continue on NY 12

9.7 mi · 11 min · Erwin Parkway
14

Continue on NY 12

22 mi · 30 min · State Highway 12
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
16

Merge onto NY 49

0.4 mi · 26 sec · State Route 49
17

Continue on I 790; NY 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 790; NY 5
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 East
21

Merge onto I 90

84 mi · 1 hr 36 min · New York State Thruway
22

Keep slight right at fork onto New York State Thruway

118 mi · 2 hr 16 min · New York State Thruway
Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17

0.9 mi · 59 sec · NY 17
Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey Use the slight right lane.
24

Continue on I 287; NJ 17

0.5 mi · 39 sec · I 287; NJ 17
25

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17

23 mi · 29 min · NJ 17
Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
27

Merge onto NJ 3

4.2 mi · 4 min · NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Continue on US 1; US 9

2.5 mi · 3 min · Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Tonnelle Avenue
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel Use the left lane.
31

Merge onto NJ 139

0.7 mi · 1 min · Conrail Viaduct
32

Continue on NJ 139

0.4 mi · 32 sec · 12th Street Viaduct
33

Continue on I 78

0.3 mi · 54 sec · 12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Keep slight left at fork onto I 78

2.0 mi · 4 min · Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
35

Take the exit

305 ft · 10 sec
Toward Brooklyn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

Continue on Beach Street

121 ft · 7 sec · Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker Street Use the straight lane.
37

Turn slight right onto Walker Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38

Turn right onto Broadway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Broadway
Use the straight lane.
39

Arrive at destination

Broadway

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163 miles from Philadelphia, NY, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 201.9 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Philadelphia, 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 New York State Thruway for about 201.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Greater Manchester, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Stockport, NY

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Utica, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schenectady, NY

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

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.

8
172.3 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in | New York State Thruway

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 87 South: New York, Boston
9
290.5 mi into trip | ~5h 55m in | NY 17

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15 Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New Jersey
8
291.9 mi into trip | ~5h 57m in | NJ 17

Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17 toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 66 Toward NJ 17 South: Mahwah
6
321.7 mi into trip | ~6h 34m in | US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue

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

Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
321.8 mi into trip | ~6h 34m in

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

Use the left lane. Toward Hoboken, Holland Tunnel

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.68 one way

$107.36 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
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

Holland Tunnel $16.00
New York State Thruway (201.9 mi) $10.09

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Philadelphia, NY

Morning in Philadelphia on Tuesday

Local time

7:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New York City, NY

Morning in New York City on Tuesday

Local time

7:07 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

11 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 45m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

Only 23% 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: 201.9 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 172.3 miles in near New York State Thruway.

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 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

87.4 mi in | ~1h 59m

Boston

172.3 mi in | ~3h 39m | via New York State Thruway

About the Cities

Starting in Philadelphia, NY

Full guide →

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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 201.9 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $26.09 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 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at New York City, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

New York City, NY to Philadelphia, NY

Plan the drive back the other way.

319.1 mi 6h 44m

Explore more options from Philadelphia, NY or browse trips ending in New York City, NY.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse NY road trips.