Origin
Poughkeepsie, NY
Morning in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday
Local time
9:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poughkeepsie, NY to Manhattan, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
75.7 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 42m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poughkeepsie, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Manhattan, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Poughkeepsie to Manhattan is 75.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes via US 9 and Saw Mill River Parkway, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, connecting two points in the Northeast region. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a convenient option if you're looking for a direct path into the city without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.9 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 9 | 30.1 mi | 40m |
| Saw Mill River Parkway | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| US 6 | 14.9 mi | 23m |
| Henry Hudson Parkway | 10.5 mi | 16m |
| NY 9A | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West 86th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Mill Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 9
— 30.1 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poughkeepsie, NY and Manhattan, NY.
1
Start on Reservoir Square
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Reservoir Square
2
Continue on South Clinton Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Clinton Street
3
Turn left onto Little Smith Street
271 ft
·
11 sec
·
Little Smith Street
4
Turn slight right
110 ft
·
5 sec
5
Merge onto US 44; NY 55
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Mill Street
6
Turn straight onto US 44; NY 55
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
East-West Arterial
7
Continue on US 44; NY 55
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Columbus Drive
8
Continue on US 44; NY 55
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Church Street
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 9
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 9
11
Take the exit
512 ft
·
22 sec
Toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wappingers Falls
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 9
30 mi
·
40 min
·
US 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto US 6; US 9; US 202
201 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
14
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Toward Peekskill
15
Continue on US 6; US 9; US 202
15 mi
·
23 min
·
US 6; US 9; US 202
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto NY 9A; NY 100
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
NY 9A; NY 100
Toward New York City
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Saw Mill River Parkway South
18
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Saw Mill River Parkway
Toward Saw Mill Pkwy, Yonkers
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on HH
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto HH
10 mi
·
15 min
·
Henry Hudson Parkway
Toward Henry Hudson Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on West 79th Street
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
West 79th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Broadway
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Broadway
24
Turn right onto West 86th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 86th Street
25
Continue on 86th Street Transverse
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
86th Street Transverse
Toward East Side
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
86th Street Transverse
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour 50 minutes, this trip is best suited for a same-day excursion. Aim to depart Poughkeepsie mid-morning to avoid the heaviest rush hour traffic, especially as you near Manhattan. While there are no official stops recommended, the drive is short enough that you likely won't need extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $12; it's always wise to fill up before leaving Poughkeepsie to ensure you have a full tank for the entire trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.9 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.1 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.9 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Poughkeepsie, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Poughkeepsie, NY
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 9 for about 30.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.9 miles from Poughkeepsie, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 74.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
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 US 9: Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls
8
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wappingers Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 44 West, NY 55 West, US 9 South: Wapp...
7
48.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
Saw Mill River Parkway
Merge onto Saw Mill River Parkway toward Saw Mill Pkwy, Yonkers
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saw Mill Pkwy, Yonkers
7
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
HH / Henry Hudson Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto HH / Henry Hudson Parkway toward Henry Hudson Parkway South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Henry Hudson Parkway South
7
74.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, Children's Museum Of Manhattan, JCC in Manhattan, Lincoln Center, New York Historical Society, New York Institute of Technology
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 Boat Basin, Metropolitan Museum of Art,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.46 one way
$24.92 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $13.47 | $26.95 |
| premium | $4.92 | $14.67 | $29.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.71 | $33.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.60 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Manhattan, NY
Morning in Manhattan on Tuesday
Local time
9:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°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
4 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
1h 50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 94% highway, so you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 30.1 miles, primarily on US 9. You'll notice a high density of exits as you approach the urban area. The transition from more open highway cruising to denser traffic will be apparent as you get closer to Manhattan.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.1 mi on US 9.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 9 and Saw Mill River Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.3 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Poughkeepsie, NY and Manhattan, NY, road signs point toward Peekskill, New York City, Saw Mill River Parkway South, Yonkers and Henry Hudson Parkway South.
Peekskill
31.5 mi in
|
~42m
|
via US 6; US 9; US 202
New York City
46.4 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via NY 9A; NY 100
Saw Mill River Parkway South
48.2 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Yonkers
48.3 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via Saw Mill River Parkway
Henry Hudson Parkway South
64.2 mi in
|
~1h 30m
|
via HH
About the Cities
Starting in Poughkeepsie, NY
Full guide →Founded 1686
Poughkeepsie (pronounced "puh-kip-see") is the name of both a town and a city in Dutchess County in New York's Hudson Valley. The City of Poughkeepsie is along the Hudson River on its eastern shore, where the river marks the boundary of the city and of the county (Ulster County is on the other side). The Town of Poughkeepsie encompasses surrounding areas of Dutchess County bordering on the city, and is more suburban in character.
Top landmarks
- • Vassar College Observatory — observatory
- • Poughkeepsie station — railway station in Poughkeepsie, New York
- • Mill Street-North Clover Street Historic District — historic district in Poughkeepsie, New York
Arriving in Manhattan, NY
Full guide →Founded 1624
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village. The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Top landmarks
- • Empire State Building — skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, USA
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 1h 50m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.1 miles on US 9. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Manhattan, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.3 miles (Saw Mill River Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Manhattan, NY before heading back.
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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