This 77.2-mile drive from Staten Island, NY, to Cold Spring, NY, is a straightforward 1 hour and 51 minutes, making it an excellent option for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, it's an economical choice for a quick getaway within the Northeast region. The route primarily utilizes major parkways and highways, offering a generally efficient journey. You'll find it’s a convenient way to travel between two points in New York without needing an overnight stay. The focus is on getting you to your destination smoothly and without too much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.6 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Palisades Interstate Parkway
18.3 mi
21m
Garden State Parkway
10.7 mi
12m
NJ 17
9.2 mi
10m
Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway
5.3 mi
9m
Bayonne Bridge
4.6 mi
7m
New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
4.3 mi
5m
NJ 3
4.3 mi
5m
State Highway 9D
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Palisades Interstate Parkway
— 18.3 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and Cold Spring, NY.
1
Start on Croft Court
147 ft·13 sec·Croft Court
2
Turn left onto Corona Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·Corona Avenue
3
Continue on Cotter Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Cotter Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto Clarke Avenue
284 ft·13 sec·Clarke Avenue
5
Turn right onto Kensico Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Kensico Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto Richmond Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Richmond Road
7
Continue on Richmond Road
447 ft·14 sec·Richmond Road
8
Continue on Rockland Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Rockland Avenue
9
Turn right onto Brielle Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·Brielle Avenue
10
Turn left onto Bradley Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Bradley Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto North Gannon Avenue
364 ft·8 sec·North Gannon Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 278 West: Staten Island Expressway, Goethals Bridge, Elizabeth
13
Merge onto I 278
0.8 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 9Toward NY 440 North: Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Expressway, Bayonne BridgeUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto NY 440
1.3 mi·1 min·Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway
16
Continue on NY 440
4.6 mi·7 min·Bayonne Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 78 Toll, NJTP: Newark, Holland Tunnel
18
Merge onto Port Jersey Boulevard
0.4 mi·27 sec·Port Jersey Boulevard
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 78 East, NJTP East: Holland TunnelUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 78; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
21
Continue on I 78; NJTP
2.3 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension
Exit 14CUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Jersey Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Jersey Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139
408 ft·5 sec·14th Street Viaduct
Use the left lane.
24
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
25
Continue on NJ 139
0.8 mi·1 min·NJ 139 Lower Level
26
Continue on NJ 139
406 ft·7 sec·Pulaski Skyway
27
Take the exit
420 ft·14 sec
Toward US 1-9 North: SecaususUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto US 1; US 9
2.6 mi·3 min·Tonnelle Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto NJ 3
4.3 mi·5 min·NJ 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward NJ 17 North: RutherfordUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto NJ 17
3.3 mi·3 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on NJ 17
4.2 mi·4 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on NJ 17
1.8 mi·2 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward GSP Toll North
36
Merge onto GSP
11 mi·12 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 14-1Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 87 South, I 287 East: New York City, Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
39
Merge onto I 87; I 287
2.4 mi·3 min·New York State Thruway
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 13NToward Palisades Parkway North, Bear MountainUse the slight right lane.
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 51 minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Consider an early start to avoid any potential traffic, especially on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. With no designated stops included in the data, you can easily pull over at any service area along the parkways for breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $13 cost suggests a straightforward journey with readily available services, but it's always wise to fuel up before heading out on any drive.
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 38.6 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.3 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.6 miles or 58m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cold Spring, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Staten Island, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Staten Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 77.2 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Staten Island, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Palisades Interstate Parkway for about 18.3 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 36
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 49.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.2 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward NY 440 North: Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Expressway, Bayonne Bridge
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 9
Toward NY 440 North: Doctor Martin Luther King...
8
12.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 78 East, NJTP East: Holland Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 78 East, NJTP East: Holland Tunnel
7
17.1 mi into trip|~31m in|I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Turn left onto I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
25.4 mi into trip|~42m 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
49.2 mi into trip|~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
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 13N
Toward Palisades Parkway North, Bear Mountain
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.71 one way
$25.42 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.74
$27.48
premium
$4.92
$14.96
$29.93
diesel
$5.61
$17.04
$34.09
Estimated Tolls: $17.37
Bayonne Bridge
$16.00
Garden State Parkway
(10.7 mi)$0.64
New Jersey Turnpike
(4.3 mi)$0.61
New York State Thruway
(2.4 mi)$0.12
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
$13
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.2
0
$8.11
$3.71
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
EV Truck/SUV
30.9
0
$10.81
$4.94
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain Showers
NW 13 to 29 mph95% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 2:19AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Cold Spring, NY
Late night
in Cold Spring on Tuesday
Local time
4:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Rain Showers
NW 10 to 14 mph99% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 19 at 2:19AM EDT until April 21 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Upton 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 51m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Castle Clinton National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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, with 69% of the drive on high-speed roads. The Palisades Interstate Parkway will be your main companion for a significant stretch, including a 18.3-mile segment without interruptions. While the primary roads are parkways and highways, they are designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The character remains consistent, offering a predictable driving rhythm as you make your way north through New Jersey and back into New York.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.3 mi on Palisades Interstate Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Palisades Interstate Parkway and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.2 miles you will encounter 36 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Staten Island, NY and Cold Spring, NY, road signs point toward Elizabeth, Njtp: Newark, Jersey City, Gsp Toll North, Palisades Parkway North and Bear Mountain.
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 1h 51m. Total distance: 77.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.3 miles on Palisades Interstate Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $17.37 in tolls one way, starting with Bayonne 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 6 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 Cold Spring, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 78; NJ 139 / 14th Street Viaduct): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Castle Clinton National Monument, Statue Of Liberty National Monument and African Burial Ground National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cold Spring, NY before heading back.
