Sheepshead Bay, NY to Union, NY is 247.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m via NY 17 and NJ 17, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, primarily traveling through New York and briefly into New Jersey. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. Plan for this to be a utilitarian transit rather than a scenic tour.
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
123.7 miles from Sheepshead Bay, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
119.5 mi
2h 27m
State Highway 8
36.8 mi
42m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
County Road 16
11.8 mi
16m
West Street
9.4 mi
12m
State Route 80
8.8 mi
12m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
County Road 44
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sheepshead Bay, NY and Union, NY.
1
Start on Avenue Y
0.3 mi·1 min·Avenue Y
2
Turn right onto Ocean Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·Ocean Avenue
3
Turn left onto Avenue P
0.5 mi·1 min·Avenue P
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Coney Island Avenue
2.6 mi·5 min·Coney Island Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto NY 27
0.2 mi·25 sec·Church Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto NY 27
1.9 mi·3 min·Prospect Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 27
0.4 mi·46 sec·NY 27
Toward I 278 East: Queens, Bronx
8
Merge onto I 278
0.4 mi·39 sec·Gowanus Expressway
9
Keep slight left at fork
2.3 mi·4 min
Exit 25Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, ManhattanUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
230 ft·10 sec
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington BridgeUse the right lane.
11
At end of road, turn right onto NY 9A
1.1 mi·3 min·West Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto Vestry Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Vestry Street
13
Turn left onto Hudson Street
374 ft·18 sec·Hudson Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Take the exit
406 ft·14 sec
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New JerseyUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Merge onto I 78
1.8 mi·3 min·Holland Tunnel
16
Continue on I 78
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 139
0.3 mi·24 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Toward NJ 139 West: Pulaski Skyway, Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City
18
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
19
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
20
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on NJ 17
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
30
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
31
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
32
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
14 mi·16 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
33
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 16Toward US 6, NY 17: HarrimanUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on this road
152 ft·3 sec·this road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward NY 17 West: BinghamtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on NY 17
105 mi·2 hr 11 min·NY 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward NY 8, NY 10: Deposit, Walton
38
Turn right onto NY 8; NY 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·State Highway 10
39
Continue on NY 8; NY 10
0.3 mi·18 sec·Oak Street
40
Turn straight onto NY 8; NY 10
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 8
41
Continue on NY 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·Airport Road
42
Continue on NY 8
18 mi·20 min·State Highway 8
43
Turn left onto NY 23
8.3 mi·9 min·West Street
44
Turn right onto NY 12
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
45
Continue on NY 12
1.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 12
46
Turn left onto CR 44
2.8 mi·3 min·County Road 44
47
At end of road, turn right onto NY 23
1.2 mi·1 min·NY 23
48
Turn right onto CR 16
12 mi·16 min·County Road 16
49
At end of road, turn right onto NY 26
2.2 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
50
Continue on NY 26; NY 80
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 80
51
Continue on NY 80
6.1 mi·8 min·State Route 80
52
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.9 mi·2 min·State Route 13
53
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
1.1 mi·1 min·McKinley Street
54
Continue on NY 13; NY 80
0.5 mi·1 min·Main Street
55
Turn right onto NY 13
0.2 mi·20 sec·State Route 13
56
Continue on NY 13
1.4 mi·1 min·Rippleton Road
57
Turn left onto CR 46
0.7 mi·1 min·Delphi Road
58
Turn left onto Kiley Road
73 ft·3 sec·Kiley Road
59
Arrive at destination
Kiley Road
Trip Plan
Starting early from Sheepshead Bay will help you beat some of the New York area traffic. With a drive time of just over 5 hours, this is easily a one-day trip, so you have flexibility in your departure time. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 119.5 miles on NY 17, so keep an eye on your fuel levels before you begin that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $41, and there's one suggested stop, so plan accordingly for breaks.
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 123.7 miles from Sheepshead Bay, NY, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 54 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 47m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sheepshead Bay, 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 Sheepshead Bay, NY
This is one driving day of about 247.3 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Sheepshead Bay, 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 NY 17 for about 119.5 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 35
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 59.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
7.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward Hugh L Carey Tunnel, Manhattan
8
9.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, George Washington Bridge
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward NY 9A North: West Street, Holland Tunnel...
8
11.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 78: Holland Tunnel, New Jersey
8
21.7 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 17 North: Rutherford
8
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 16
Toward US 6, NY 17: Harriman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.29 one way
$86.57 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$46.91
$93.82
premium
$5.23
$50.92
$101.84
diesel
$6.28
$61.10
$122.21
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
$43
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.83
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 19, 2026
Origin
Sheepshead Bay, NY
Late night
in Sheepshead Bay on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Union, NY
Late night
in Union on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
W 3 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
1 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.
Governors Island National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 82% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 119.5 miles on NY 17 before transitioning to other routes. Expect a high number of exits and merges, characteristic of driving on busy interstates.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.5 mi on NY 17.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on NY 17 and State Highway 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 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 35 significant decision points across 247.3 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 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,635 ft12 ft
Total Climb
2,539 ft
Total Descent
1,292 ft
Highest Point
1,635 ft
~123.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,623 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sheepshead Bay, NY and Union, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, New York State Thruway North: Albany and Walton.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.5 miles on NY 17. 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.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Union, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Governors Island 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 5.4 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 Union, NY before the return drive.
