Saugerties, NY to New York City, NY is 107.9 miles and takes about 2h 15m via New York State Thruway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Northeast region of New York down into another part of the Northeast, ending in the bustling metropolis of New York City. Given its relatively short distance and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend a good portion on the highway, so factor that into your planning for a smooth transition into the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.9 miles from Saugerties, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
70.5 mi
1h 21m
NJ 17
22.7 mi
29m
NJ 3
4.2 mi
4m
Tonnelle Avenue
2.6 mi
3m
Holland Tunnel
2 mi
4m
Ulster Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
NY 17
0.9 mi
<1m
Conrail Viaduct
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 70.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saugerties, NY and New York City, NY.
1
Start on NY 32
315 ft·12 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto NY 32
433 ft·14 sec·Market Street
3
Turn slight left onto NY 32
1.1 mi·2 min·Ulster Avenue
4
Turn straight onto NY 32
0.2 mi·24 sec·NY 32
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
6
Merge onto I 87
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·New York State Thruway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Continue on I 287; NJ 17
0.5 mi·39 sec·I 287; NJ 17
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward NJ 3 East: New York
11
Merge onto NJ 3
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 1; US 9
2.5 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward Hoboken, Holland TunnelUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto NJ 139
0.7 mi·1 min·Conrail Viaduct
16
Continue on NJ 139
0.4 mi·32 sec·12th Street Viaduct
17
Continue on I 78
0.3 mi·54 sec·12th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78
2.0 mi·4 min·Holland Tunnel
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
19
Take the exit
305 ft·10 sec
Toward BrooklynUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on Beach Street
121 ft·7 sec·Beach Street
Toward Brooklyn, 6th Avenue, Walker StreetUse the straight lane.
21
Turn slight right onto Walker Street
0.2 mi·1 min·Walker Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·Broadway
Use the straight lane.
23
Arrive at destination
Broadway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 107.9-mile drive, consider departing Saugerties early in the morning to avoid the heaviest city traffic. With a total duration of just over two hours, you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops, but a quick break around the halfway point might be welcome. Keep an eye on your fuel, budgeting around $18 for the trip, and remember that city driving requires increased vigilance. Since this is a shorter route, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic conditions.
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 53.9 miles from Saugerties, NY, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.5 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 1h 4m 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 46m
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 Saugerties, 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 Saugerties, NY
This is one driving day of about 107.9 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Saugerties, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 70.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 72.3 and 105.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
73.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
103.4 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hoboken, Holland Tunnel, Tonnele Avenue, Jersey City, Pulaski Skyway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NJ 139 East, US 1 South, US 9 South: Hob...
8
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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
6
105.2 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 78 / Holland Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 78 / Holland Tunnel toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Holland Tunnel, Manhattan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.76 one way
$35.52 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$19.21
$38.41
premium
$4.92
$20.91
$41.83
diesel
$5.61
$23.82
$47.65
Estimated Tolls: $19.53
Holland Tunnel
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(70.5 mi)$3.53
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
$18
Tolls
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.44
$4.32
EV Truck/SUV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Saugerties, NY
Morning
in Saugerties on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New York City, NY
Morning
in New York City on Tuesday
Local time
6:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Sunny
NW 15 to 18 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 20 at 1:57PM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 8:03AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
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
16 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
2h 15m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 26% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on the New York State Thruway covers 70.5 miles, offering a period of consistent cruising before you transition to more varied terrain. Expect to encounter dense exit activity as you approach the urban environment of New York City.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.5 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 72.3 miles in near NY 17.
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 15 significant decision points across 107.9 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 72.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.4 miles (US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 107.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.5 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $19.53 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.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.3 miles (NY 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles (NJ 17): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.4 miles (US 1; US 9 / Tonnelle Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New York City, NY before heading back.
