Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 22m
Distance
291.7 mi
470 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Branchport, NY
Renan Tagliaferro
Embark on a 291.7-mile journey from Staten Island, NY, to Branchport, NY, a drive that will take approximately 6 hours and 22 minutes. This trip is best suited as a single-day adventure, with a manageable fuel cost estimated at $48. You'll primarily navigate major highways, including I-86, I-81, and the Christopher Columbus Highway, making it a straightforward drive. The route remains within the Northeast region, predominantly within New York State. Expect a highway-focused experience as you make your way across the state.
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
145.9 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 86 | 60.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 81 | 58.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 29 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| North Madison Avenue | 21.8 mi | 29m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| NJ 10 | 12.8 mi | 18m |
| Watkins Road | 11.6 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and Branchport, NY.
Start on Croft Court
Turn left onto Corona Avenue
Continue on Cotter Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
Turn right onto Kensico Street
At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road
Continue on Richmond Road
Continue on Rockland Avenue
Turn right onto Brielle Avenue
Turn left onto Bradley Avenue
Turn left onto North Gannon Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 278
Keep slight left at fork onto Staten Island Expressway
Continue on I 278
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto NJ 439
Turn right onto NJ 439
Turn right onto CR 623
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 27
Turn left onto CR 628
Turn right onto CR 509
Turn right onto Paine Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 78
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on NJ 24
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 287
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on NJ 10
Continue on US 46
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit
Continue on I 380
Merge onto I 81
Keep slight left at fork onto I 86; NY 17
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 64
Take the exit
Merge onto NY 14
At end of road, turn left onto NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Continue on NY 14
Turn left onto NY 54
Continue on NY 54
Turn left onto NY 54
Turn right onto NY 54
Continue on NY 54A
Arrive at destination
To maximize your time and minimize traffic, consider departing from Staten Island early in the morning, ideally before 7 AM, to avoid peak commute hours. With a total duration of over six hours, you'll want to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest stretch without a major exit is 60.9 miles on I-86, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment. Given it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but a well-timed departure is key to a smooth experience.
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.
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 64 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Branchport, NY than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Staten Island, 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 Staten Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 291.7 miles and 6h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.9 miles from Staten Island, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 30.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 287 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$48.02 one way
$96.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $51.92 | $103.84 |
| premium | $4.92 | $56.54 | $113.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.40 | $128.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$48
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.63 | $14.00 |
| Efficient EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.52 | $11.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.7 | 1 | $40.84 | $18.67 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Branchport on Sunday
Local time
6:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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This route offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 63% of the drive taking place on interstates. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 60.9 miles on I-86, providing ample opportunity for steady cruising. While largely an interstate drive, the inclusion of highways like the Christopher Columbus Highway may offer a slightly different feel in sections. The character of the drive is geared towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 86 and I 81. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in.
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 41 significant decision points across 291.7 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 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Staten Island, NY and Branchport, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany and Cr 64: Watkins Glen.
Morristown
Whippany
Cr 64: Watkins Glen
Founded 1683
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 291.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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