Rome, NY to Sheepshead Bay, NY is 265.1 miles and takes about 5h 26m via New York State Thruway and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across the Northeast region, starting in New York and potentially dipping into New Jersey before returning to New York. Given its mostly surface roads profile, expect a more local driving experience than a pure interstate trip. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.
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
132.5 miles from Rome, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
201.9 mi
3h 53m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
NY 49
14.4 mi
17m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Coney Island Avenue
2.7 mi
5m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
1.9 mi
4m
NY 27
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 201.9 mi, about 3h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rome, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY.
1
Start on NY 26
0.2 mi·23 sec·North James Street
2
Turn left onto NY 26; NY 46; NY 49; NY 69
1.1 mi·2 min·Erie Boulevard East
3
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 49; NY 69
0.8 mi·1 min·NY 49; NY 69
4
Continue on NY 49; NY 365
14 mi·16 min·NY 49; NY 365
5
Continue on I 790; NY 5
0.2 mi·13 sec·I 790; NY 5
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward Genesee Street South
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 90
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 90 East
9
Merge onto I 90
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·New York State Thruway
10
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.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
13
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 17
23 mi·29 min·NJ 17
Exit 66Toward NJ 17 South: MahwahUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
15
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
19
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
20
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
21
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
1.9 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
23
Take the exit
428 ft·14 sec
Toward NY 9A
24
Turn slight left onto Laight Street
0.2 mi·48 sec·Laight Street
Toward NY 9A
25
At end of road, turn left onto NY 9A
0.9 mi·2 min·West Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Take the exit
2.6 mi·5 min
Exit 2Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, BrooklynUse the left lane.
27
Continue on I 278
0.6 mi·50 sec·Gowanus Expressway
28
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.
29
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.
30
Turn left onto NY 27
0.3 mi·45 sec·Caton Avenue
31
Turn right onto NY 27
2.7 mi·5 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn left onto Avenue P
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue P
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Ocean Avenue
34
Turn left onto Avenue Y
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenue Y
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
Avenue Y
Trip Plan
For this 265.1-mile drive, leaving early in the morning from Rome, NY, should allow you to comfortably reach Sheepshead Bay, NY, within the estimated 5h 26m duration, avoiding peak traffic. While the longest stretch is over 200 miles on the New York State Thruway, consider taking a break before you need to exit for NJ 17 or NY 49. The fuel cost is estimated at $44, so ensure you have enough for the trip, and keep an eye out for fuel stations as you transition to surface roads. Planning for one stop should be sufficient for this single-day journey.
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 132.5 miles from Rome, NY, or about 2h 35m 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.5 miles or 2h 35m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheepshead Bay, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rome, 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 Rome, NY
This is one driving day of about 265.1 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Rome, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.8 and 255 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
100.8 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
219 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
8
250.3 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
8
255 mi into trip|~5h 6m 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
$47.12 one way
$94.25 round trip
$4.52/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.89
$51.02
$102.03
premium
$5.31
$55.45
$110.90
diesel
$6.20
$64.70
$129.40
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
$47
Tolls
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.5
0
$27.84
$12.72
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.20
$10.60
EV Truck/SUV
106
1
$37.11
$16.97
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 10, 2026
Origin
Rome, NY
Morning
in Rome on Saturday
Local time
7:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
E 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Morning
in Sheepshead Bay on Saturday
Local time
7:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 5 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
18 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
5h 26m 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.
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 255.9
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Eur...
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 255.9
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 255.9
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 255.9
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 265.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 17% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch on the New York State Thruway extending 201.9 miles. After this significant highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads, primarily utilizing NJ 17 and NY 49. Expect a change in pace as you move from the faster-paced Thruway to roads with more frequent intersections and local traffic. The profile is mostly surface roads, indicating a significant portion of your travel will be at lower speeds with more varied driving conditions.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
35 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 100.8 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 25 significant decision points across 265.1 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 100.8 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
728 ft9 ft
Total Climb
888 ft
Total Descent
1,331 ft
Highest Point
728 ft
~39.7 mi in
Elevation Range
719 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rome, NY and Sheepshead Bay, NY, road signs point toward Genesee Street South, Boston, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway and Hoboken.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 265.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 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 Sheepshead Bay, 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 100.8 miles (New York State Thruway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.4 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Castle Clinton National Monument, Fort Stanwix National Monument and Governors Island 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sheepshead Bay, NY before the return drive.
