This 320.7-mile journey from Philadelphia, NY, to The Bronx, NY, is planned for a 6-hour and 40-minute drive, making it a feasible day trip. Your route will primarily follow the New York State Thruway and State Highway 12, with a portion on Bea Luck Road. With a highway share of 23%, expect a mix of driving experiences. The estimated fuel cost is around $53, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. This trip stays within the Northeast region, offering a straightforward travel day through New York.
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
160.4 miles from Philadelphia, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
State Highway 12
22.8 mi
31m
Bea Luck Road
19.8 mi
23m
NJ 17
14.1 mi
18m
State Highway 26
13.4 mi
19m
Erwin Parkway
9.7 mi
11m
Main Street
6.7 mi
7m
NJ 4
6.7 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Philadelphia, NY and The Bronx, 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, BostonUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 17
0.9 mi·59 sec·NY 17
Exit 15Toward I 287 South, NJ 17 South: New JerseyUse 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
14 mi·18 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward NJ 4, GSP South: Paterson, Fort Lee, New York
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
28
Merge onto NJ 4
0.3 mi·24 sec·NJ 4
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on NJ 4
6.4 mi·8 min·NJ 4
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington BridgeUse the straight / slight left lanes.
31
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.7 mi·54 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
33
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.6 mi·1 min·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
35
Continue on I 95; US 1
2.9 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 4BToward Rosedale AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Cross Bronx Expressway Service Road
38
Turn right onto Noble Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·Noble Avenue
39
Turn right onto Bronx River Avenue
0.2 mi·34 sec·Bronx River Avenue
40
Turn straight onto East Tremont Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Tremont Avenue
41
Turn left onto White Plains Road
0.5 mi·1 min·White Plains Road
Use the left lane.
42
Turn right onto Cruger Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Cruger Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Cruger Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 40-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Philadelphia, NY, to maximize your time and minimize potential traffic as you approach The Bronx. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 200 miles, plan your breaks strategically. The $53 fuel cost should be factored into your budget. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when transitioning from the New York State Thruway to State Highway 12, as this is where the driving character shifts significantly.
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 160.4 miles from Philadelphia, NY, or about 3h 25m 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 71 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.4 miles or 3h 25m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Bronx, 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 320.7 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 172.3 and 319.1 — 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
306 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 4 East: Fort Lee, New York
7
319.1 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Take the exit toward Rosedale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward Rosedale Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.88 one way
$103.76 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$56.30
$112.60
premium
$4.85
$61.21
$122.42
diesel
$4.80
$60.55
$121.11
Estimated Tolls: $26.09
George Washington Bridge
$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
$52
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$103–$128
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.2
1
$33.67
$15.39
Efficient EV
80.2
0
$28.06
$12.83
EV Truck/SUV
128.3
1
$44.90
$20.52
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Philadelphia, NY
Late night
in Philadelphia on Monday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
W 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
The Bronx, NY
Late night
in The Bronx on Monday
Local time
3:43 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
12 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
6h 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll navigate a variety of road types rather than a continuous interstate experience. While 23% of the drive is on highways, the majority involves more localized roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 201.9 miles on the New York State Thruway, offering a chance to cover ground efficiently. Be prepared for the road to change character as you transition between the faster Thruway and the more winding State Highway 12 and local segments.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 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 Effort10/10
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 320.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,227 ft53 ft
Total Climb
1,580 ft
Total Descent
2,018 ft
Highest Point
1,227 ft
~68.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,175 ft
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 The Bronx, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South and Boston.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 320.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m 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 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 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 The Bronx, 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.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at The Bronx, NY before the return drive.
