This 346-mile drive from Stafford, NY, to Staten Island, NY, is achievable in about 7 hours and 17 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be covering a significant portion of the distance on major highways, with 74% of the route being on interstates. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $57, and with two planned stops, you should be able to manage the drive comfortably. This route focuses on efficient travel across New York, connecting two points within the Northeast region. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, breaking it into two days is also an option, but it's designed for single-day completion.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
173 miles from Stafford, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,553 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
midnight
~450 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 46 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 Stafford, NY and Staten Island, NY.
1
Start on NY 5
2.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street Road
2
Continue on NY 5
1.5 mi·2 min·West Main Road
3
Continue on NY 5
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
Turn right onto NY 19
0.4 mi·36 sec·Clay Street
5
Continue on NY 19
0.2 mi·20 sec·Wolcott Street
6
Continue on NY 19
1.4 mi·2 min·Warsaw Road
7
Continue on NY 19
5.4 mi·8 min·Lake Street
8
Turn left onto NY 63
4.1 mi·6 min·Big Tree Road
9
Continue on NY 63
0.7 mi·54 sec·State Highway 63
10
Continue on NY 63
7.5 mi·11 min·Genesee Street
11
Enter roundabout onto NY 63
108 ft·1 sec·Genesee Street
12
Continue on NY 63
1.3 mi·1 min·Genesee Street
13
Merge onto US 20A; NY 39; NY 63
3.3 mi·4 min·Geneseo-Mount Morris Road
14
Continue on NY 408
0.3 mi·32 sec·Mount Morris-Geneseo Road
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
16
Merge onto I 390
38 mi·44 min·Genesee Expressway
17
Merge onto I 86
105 mi·2 hr 2 min·Southern Tier Expressway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
23
Merge onto I 80
46 mi·59 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake HopatcongUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on CR 631
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ledgewood Road
26
Continue on US 46
0.9 mi·1 min·US 46
27
Continue on US 46
213 ft·4 sec·US 46
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
28
Turn straight onto NJ 10
9.2 mi·11 min·Route 10 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on NJ 10
3.5 mi·4 min·NJ 10
Use the right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 287 South: Morristown, Morristown Airport
31
Merge onto I 287
0.8 mi·1 min·I 287
32
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 37Toward NJ 24 East: SpringfieldUse the slight right lane.
33
Continue on NJ 24
9.3 mi·10 min·NJ 24
Use the straight lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 78 East: Holland Tunnel, New York City, Newark
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 78 East Local: NewarkUse the slight right lane.
36
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi·5 min·Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 54Toward Hillside, IrvingtonUse the slight right lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·29 sec
Toward HillsideUse the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on Winans Avenue
0.2 mi·39 sec·Winans Avenue
40
Turn right onto Liberty Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Liberty Avenue
41
Turn left onto CR 628
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hillside Avenue
42
Continue on CR 628
0.4 mi·45 sec·Hillside Avenue
43
At end of road, turn right onto CR 623
2.1 mi·4 min·North Broad Street
44
Continue on CR 623
1.4 mi·3 min·Broad Street
45
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.3 mi·43 sec·Bayway
46
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi·11 sec·Brunswick Avenue
Use the left lane.
47
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 278 Toll East: Goethals Bridge
48
Merge onto I 278
1.3 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
49
Continue on I 278
2.2 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight left at fork onto I 278
0.9 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 11Toward I 278 West: Bradley AvenueUse the slight right lane.
52
Turn straight onto South Gannon Avenue
198 ft·8 sec·South Gannon Avenue
53
Turn right onto Bradley Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
54
Turn slight right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
55
Turn left onto Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
56
Continue on Richmond Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
57
Turn left onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
58
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
59
Turn right onto Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·54 sec·Cotter Avenue
60
Continue on Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·Corona Avenue
61
Turn right onto Croft Court
147 ft·6 sec·Croft Court
62
Arrive at destination
Croft Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 17-minute journey, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Staten Island. With two stops planned, factor in about 15-30 minutes at each for stretching and refueling. The longest stretch without a major exit is over 100 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Given the highway-centric nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is crucial, and planning your stops around reliable service areas will be beneficial.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 173 miles from Stafford, NY, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.5 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 76 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173 miles or 3h 31m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Staten Island, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Stafford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Stafford, NY
This is one driving day of about 346 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Stafford, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Southern Tier Expressway for about 104.5 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 171.9 and 331.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
171.9 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|I 81
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 South: Scranton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 81 South: Scranton
9
225.3 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
300.5 mi into trip|~6h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
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 28
Toward US 46 East: Ledgewood, Lake Hopatcong
8
331.2 mi into trip|~6h 44m in
Take the exit toward Hillside, Irvington
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 54
Toward Hillside, Irvington
8
331.3 mi into trip|~6h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Hillside
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Hillside
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.97 one way
$111.95 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$60.74
$121.48
premium
$4.85
$66.04
$132.08
diesel
$4.80
$65.33
$130.66
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
Goethals Bridge
$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
$56
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.8
1
$36.33
$16.61
Efficient EV
86.5
0
$30.28
$13.84
EV Truck/SUV
138.4
1
$48.44
$22.14
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Stafford, NY
Evening
in Stafford on Monday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Smoke
SW 2 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Staten Island, NY
Evening
in Staten Island on Monday
Local time
8:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Smoke
W 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
173 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
6 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
7h 17m 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.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 334
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 334
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 334
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 334
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 346
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, as indicated by the 74% highway share. Your journey will primarily utilize the Southern Tier Expressway, I-81, and the Keystone Shortway, suggesting predominantly fast-paced driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 104.5 miles on the Southern Tier Expressway. This means you'll spend a good amount of time on well-maintained expressways, designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
62 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.5 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 I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.9 miles in near I 81.
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 38 significant decision points across 346 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 171.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 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
1,908 ft72 ft
Total Climb
2,478 ft
Total Descent
3,302 ft
Highest Point
1,908 ft
~247.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,835 ft
Notable High Points
1,908 ft at ~247.1 miles+964 ft prominence
795 ft at ~296.5 miles+506 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Stafford, NY and Staten Island, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono, Milford, Lake Hopatcong, Morristown Airport, New York City and Newark.
Mt Pocono
225.3 mi in|~4h 33m|via US 6
Milford
226 mi in|~4h 34m|via I 84; I 380
Lake Hopatcong
300.5 mi in|~6h 5m
Morristown Airport
314.6 mi in|~6h 23m
New York City
325.9 mi in|~6h 37m
Newark
325.9 mi in|~6h 37m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Staten Island is New York City's "Forgotten Borough" across New York Harbor from Manhattan. Staten Island may seem like it's in an entirely different world than the hustle and bustle expected in New York City. However, it still has some of the features you've come to expect from the city. This combination of city influences and its rural origins have created a unique borough that is a great place to visit.
Top landmarks
•Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
•Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 17m. Total distance: 346 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.5 miles on Southern Tier Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with Goethals Bridge. 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 31 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 Staten Island, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 171.9 miles (I 81): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 225.3 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Castle Clinton 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Staten Island, NY before the return drive.
