Spanning 333.6 miles across New York State, this journey from Rouses Point to New York City typically takes about 6 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a relatively straightforward drive, it is feasible as a one-day trip, though you should budget approximately $53 for fuel. You will primarily navigate the Adirondack Northway and I-87 before transitioning onto NJ-17 to reach the city. The route keeps you entirely within the Northeast region, moving from the northern border down toward the urban core. While a single-day push is manageable, keeping your schedule flexible allows you to handle potential traffic as you approach the city. It is a practical, direct path that connects the quiet northern reaches of the state to the bustle of the metro area.
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
166.8 miles from Rouses Point, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adirondack Northway
173.6 mi
3h 22m
I 87
118.6 mi
2h 17m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
State Route 11
3.9 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
NY 17
0.9 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Adirondack Northway
— 173.6 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rouses Point, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on State Street
49 ft·3 sec·State Street
2
Turn right onto US 11
0.8 mi·56 sec·Lake Street
3
Turn right onto US 11
0.9 mi·58 sec·Champlain Street
4
Continue on US 11
3.8 mi·4 min·State Route 11
5
Enter roundabout onto US 11
126 ft·1 sec·State Route 11
6
Continue on US 11
401 ft·5 sec·State Route 11
7
Enter roundabout
222 ft·2 sec
8
Continue
0.2 mi·30 sec
9
Merge onto I 87
174 mi·3 hr 22 min·Adirondack Northway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
0.3 mi·31 sec·I 87
Exit 1E-WToward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, BuffaloUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·I 87
Exit 1WToward I 87 South, I 90 West: New York, Buffalo
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87
118 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 87
Toward I 87 South: New YorkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
17
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
21
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
22
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
23
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
25
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
27
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 37-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is a single-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heaviest congestion near your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that initial 173.6-mile stretch on the Adirondack Northway, and try to refuel before hitting the busier corridors where prices or traffic may fluctuate. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, check for real-time traffic updates before you leave to ensure your pacing remains consistent. Using your one planned stop strategically will help you stay alert for the final transition into the city.
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 166.8 miles from Rouses Point, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.6 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 73 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.8 miles or 3h 14m 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 18m
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 Rouses Point, 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 Rouses Point, NY
This is one driving day of about 333.6 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Rouses Point, 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 Adirondack Northway for about 173.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 179.4 and 329.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 29m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New York, Buffalo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1E-W
Toward I 87 South, I 90: Boston, Albany, New Yo...
7
180.2 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|I 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 87 toward I 87 South: New York
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 South: New York
9
298 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
299.4 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
329.3 mi into trip|~6h 26m 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
$54.91 one way
$109.83 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$59.38
$118.76
premium
$4.92
$64.66
$129.32
diesel
$5.61
$73.65
$147.31
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
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
$55
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.1
1
$35.03
$16.01
Efficient EV
83.4
0
$29.19
$13.34
EV Truck/SUV
133.4
1
$46.70
$21.35
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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 18, 2026
Origin
Rouses Point, NY
Morning
in Rouses Point on Sunday
Local time
8:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Sunday
Local time
8:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:37AM EDT until April 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Burlington VT
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
21 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 37m 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.
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...
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 333.6
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
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 333.6
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 333.6
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 333.6
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 333.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending high-speed interstate travel with more variable road conditions. You will spend roughly 45% of your time on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 173.6 miles along the Adirondack Northway. Expect the initial portions of the route to feel wide open and fast-paced, offering a consistent rhythm for the majority of the distance. As you transition away from the Northway and approach the final leg of the journey, the driving environment shifts from rural highway cruising to more complex navigation. You will notice the character of the road change significantly once you move off the main interstate arteries and onto local infrastructure like NJ-17.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.6 mi on Adirondack Northway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 179.4 miles in near I 87.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 333.6 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 179.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,227 ft34 ft
Total Climb
1,647 ft
Total Descent
1,724 ft
Highest Point
1,227 ft
~71.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,193 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rouses Point, NY and New York City, NY, road signs point toward Albany, New York and Buffalo.
Champlain and Rouses Point are a pair of adjacent villages in Northern New York on the U.S.-Canada border. The villages, 20 miles (30 km) north of Plattsburgh and 40 miles (60 km) south of Montreal, are the northernmost in the state of New York.
Top landmarks
•Fort Montgomery — fort
•Rouses Point station — Amtrak intercity train station in Rouses Point, New York, United States
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
You can definitely conquer this 333.6-mile drive in one day, fitting it into a weekend. Just be aware that 45% of it is highway, so factor in potential traffic heading into NYC on a Friday or Sunday.
Family Friendly
This route has a 9/10 complexity rating, so download offline maps and plan your stops carefully, especially with kids. Since there are 0 EV DC fast chargers, families in EVs will need to plan their charging strategy well in advance.
Solo Traveler
This 333.6-mile drive is totally doable in a single day, but with 9/10 complexity, you'll want to keep your focus sharp. Plan for at least one break to avoid burnout on this engaging, though sometimes challenging, route.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.6 miles on Adirondack Northway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 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 179.4 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.2 miles (I 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 298 miles (NY 17): 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 6.6 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 New York City, NY before the return drive.
