Traveling from Rathbone to Brooklyn covers 272.6 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes of active driving time. Because this journey is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than an overnight split. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to complete the trip. As you move from the rural Northeast region of New York toward the urban center of Brooklyn, the environment shifts significantly. This route is a practical choice if you prefer local roads over high-speed interstates, though it requires your full attention behind the wheel.
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
136.3 miles from Rathbone, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 196 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,211 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,106
Quietest
1 AM
~488 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Rathbone, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on CR 21
0.2 mi·36 sec·County Route 21
2
Turn straight onto CR 119
4.2 mi·10 min·County Route 119
3
Continue on West Front Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Front Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto NY 417
1.1 mi·1 min·Front Street
5
Continue on NY 417
365 ft·6 sec·State Highway 417
6
Continue on NY 417
3.5 mi·5 min·Addison Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 99 North, US 15 North
8
Merge onto I 99; US 15
3.6 mi·4 min·I 99; US 15
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 13A-BToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 13AToward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
11
Merge onto I 86; NY 17
80 mi·1 hr 34 min·Southern Tier Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
17
Merge onto I 80
63 mi·1 hr 19 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·49 sec
Exit 47AToward I 280 East: The Oranges, Newark
19
Continue on I 280
16 mi·20 min·Essex Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 17AToward CR 508 East: Jersey City
21
Merge onto CR 508
2.0 mi·3 min·Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on NJ 7
0.5 mi·43 sec·New Wittpenn Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward NJ 139 East: Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln TunnelUse the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Turn straight
0.3 mi·35 sec
Use the straight lane.
26
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
27
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
28
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
30
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
31
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
32
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
33
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
34
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
35
Take the exit onto NY 27
1.5 mi·2 min·NY 27
Exit 24Toward NY 27 East: Prospect ExpresswayUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Take the exit onto NY 27
0.4 mi·47 sec·NY 27
Exit 5Toward NY 27 East: SUNY Downstate Medical CenterUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn left onto NY 27
1.2 mi·2 min·Caton Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on NY 27
0.4 mi·31 sec·Linden Boulevard
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto Nostrand Avenue
0.2 mi·35 sec·Nostrand Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the four-hour and 55-minute duration, planning your departure to avoid peak traffic is essential for a smooth arrival in Brooklyn. Since there are no scheduled stops in the route data, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops, ensuring you fill up before hitting the more congested areas near your destination. Because this is a turn-heavy route, try to avoid driving during inclement weather if possible to maintain better control on local roads. Prioritize a morning departure to maximize daylight hours for navigating the final, more complex segments of the drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 136.3 miles from Rathbone, NY, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.3 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rathbone, 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 Rathbone, NY
This is one driving day of about 272.5 miles and 5h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Rathbone, 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 Southern Tier Expressway for about 80.1 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.7 and 265.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13A-B
Toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamt...
7
14.6 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 13A
Toward I 86 East, NY 17 East: Corning, Binghamt...
9
148.5 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
260.8 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel
8
265.9 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Take the exit toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 2
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.70 one way
$95.40 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$51.69
$103.38
premium
$5.23
$56.11
$112.22
diesel
$6.28
$67.33
$134.66
Estimated Tolls: $16.14
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
Newark-Jersey City Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.14
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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.8
1
$28.61
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.84
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.15
$17.44
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Rathbone, NY
Morning
in Rathbone on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
W 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Morning
in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
38°F
Greene, NY
136 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
2 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
5h 50m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 263.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy local nature rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the drive on major highways, you will navigate local thoroughfares for the entire 272.6-mile duration. The road demands constant engagement, requiring you to remain alert through every turn and transition. Since there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the pace remains steady but technical throughout the nearly five-hour journey. You will find that the personality of the road remains consistent, favoring local navigation over the speed of an expressway.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.1 mi on Southern Tier Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Southern Tier Expressway and Keystone Shortway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in.
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 28 significant decision points across 272.5 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 13.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,810 ft49 ft
Total Climb
1,345 ft
Total Descent
2,303 ft
Highest Point
1,810 ft
~175.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,761 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rathbone, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward Binghamton, Mt Pocono, Milford, Newark and Cr 508 East: Jersey City.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 50m. Total distance: 272.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.1 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.14 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 Brooklyn, 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 13.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.5 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brooklyn, NY before the return drive.
