Staten Island to Lewiston is 397.4 miles and takes about 8h 33m via New York State Thruway, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $71 and a need for an overnight stop. This trip stays within New York, taking you from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With a recommended two days for the drive, you'll have plenty of time to break up the nearly 400 miles. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel as you make your way upstate. This route is best suited for those who prefer to spread out their driving over two days.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.7 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New York State Thruway
99.6 mi
1h 55m
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
Christopher Columbus Highway
29 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
NJ 10
12.8 mi
18m
Clinton Street
10.5 mi
15m
East Lake Road
9.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
New York State Thruway
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 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 Staten Island, NY and Lewiston, 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
2.1 mi·3 min·Staten Island Expressway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Staten Island Expressway
1.1 mi·1 min·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 278
1.4 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
16
Take the exit
150 ft·4 sec
Exit 3B; 3CToward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, ElizabethUse the slight right lane.
Toward I 287 North: MahwahUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 287
0.9 mi·1 min·I 287
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 39Toward NJ 10: Dover, WhippanyUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward NJ 10 West: DoverUse the slight left lane.
33
Continue on NJ 10
13 mi·18 min·NJ 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on US 46
1.2 mi·1 min·US 46
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 80 West
36
Merge onto I 80
29 mi·34 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
39
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
40
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
41
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
37 mi·43 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
44
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Exit 52Toward NY 13: Cortland
45
Turn right onto NY 13
39 ft·5 sec·Clinton Avenue
46
Turn left onto Locust Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Locust Avenue
47
Continue on Albany Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Albany Street
48
At end of road, turn right onto US 11; NY 41
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
49
Turn left onto NY 41
10 mi·15 min·Clinton Street
50
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·49 sec·East Lake Road
51
Continue on NY 41
4.8 mi·7 min·State Route 41
52
Continue on NY 41
9.4 mi·13 min·East Lake Road
53
Continue on NY 41
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Lake Street
54
Turn left onto US 20
7.3 mi·13 min·East Genesee Street
55
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·12 sec·North Fulton Street
56
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
0.4 mi·1 min·Arterial West
57
Continue on US 20; NY 5; NY 38
9.8 mi·11 min·Chase Street
Use the left lane.
58
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.9 mi·2 min·Auburn Road
59
Turn right onto NY 318
4.1 mi·7 min·NY 318
60
Continue on NY 318
319 ft·10 sec·NY 318
Use the right lane.
61
Turn right onto NY 414
0.3 mi·28 sec·State Route 414
Use the right lane.
62
Continue on NY 414
217 ft·11 sec·Ridge Road
Use the left lane.
63
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Use the left lane.
64
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: BuffaloUse the straight / right lanes.
65
Merge onto I 90
100 mi·1 hr 55 min·New York State Thruway
66
Take the exit
0.4 mi·36 sec
Exit 50Toward I 290: Niagara FallsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
67
Continue on I 290
9.5 mi·12 min·Youngmann Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Keep slight right at fork onto I 190 North / Niagara Falls
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 190 North / Niagara Falls
Toward I 190 North: Niagara FallsUse the slight right lane.
69
Merge onto I 190
6.8 mi·8 min·Niagara Thruway
70
Continue on I 190
0.8 mi·1 min·North Grand Island Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
71
Continue on I 190
462 ft·7 sec·Niagara Thruway
72
Continue on I 190
6.2 mi·7 min·Niagara Expressway
73
Take the exit
0.1 mi·35 sec
Exit 25AToward NY 265: LewistonUse the slight right lane.
74
Turn left onto NY 265
0.8 mi·1 min·Military Road
75
Turn right onto NY 104
0.4 mi·40 sec·Lewiston Road
76
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 104
0.9 mi·1 min·Lewiston Road
77
Turn right onto NY 104
0.2 mi·19 sec·Ridge Road
78
Turn straight onto NY 18F
0.3 mi·36 sec·Center Street
79
Turn right onto North 8th Street
49 ft·2 sec·North 8th Street
Use the right lane.
80
Arrive at destination
North 8th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8.5-hour estimated drive time and 397.4-mile distance, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for your first day's travel. With two recommended days, you can comfortably split the drive, perhaps stopping around Elmira or Syracuse. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 99.6-mile highway stretch on the New York State Thruway, as services can be spaced out. Budget around $71 for fuel, but confirm current prices closer to your departure date.
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.7 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 87 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.7 miles or 4h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 198.7 miles or 4h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewiston, 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.
+
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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Staten Island, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Lewiston, NY
Aim for roughly 199 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Staten Island, NY.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on New York State Thruway for about 99.6 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 56
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.
8
9 mi into trip|~19m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3B; 3C
Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth
8
9 mi into trip|~19m in
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 I 287 North: Mahwah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 287 North: Mahwah
8
30.9 mi into trip|~52m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 39
Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.29 one way
$128.58 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$69.76
$139.53
premium
$4.85
$75.85
$151.70
diesel
$4.80
$75.04
$150.07
Estimated Tolls: $21.32
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(99.6 mi)$4.98
Niagara Thruway
(6.9 mi)$0.34
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
$64
Tolls
$21
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.2
1
$41.73
$19.08
Efficient EV
99.4
1
$34.77
$15.90
EV Truck/SUV
159
1
$55.64
$25.43
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Staten Island, NY
Late night
in Staten Island on Sunday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lewiston, NY
Late night
in Lewiston on Sunday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
N 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
199 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 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
8h 33m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Harriet Tubman was guided by a deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community. After emancipating herself and members of her family, she moved them from Ontario, Canada to Fleming and Aubur...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 260.4
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 274.1
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 13.7
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 13.7
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 13.7
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 13.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 46% of this route is highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 99.6 miles, primarily on the New York State Thruway. After the highway segments, you'll transition to mostly surface roads for the remainder of your drive. Given the profile, anticipate navigating through more local traffic and intersections as you get closer to your destination.
Only 46% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
80 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 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 9 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 56 significant decision points across 397.4 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,761 ft72 ft
Total Climb
2,392 ft
Total Descent
2,083 ft
Highest Point
1,761 ft
~113.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,688 ft
Notable High Points
1,761 ft at ~113.5 miles+587 ft prominence
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 Lewiston, NY, road signs point toward Whippany and Albany.
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
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on New York State Thruway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 199 miles on day one.
Expect about $21.32 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 36 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 Lewiston, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, Women's Rights National Historical Park and Statue Of Liberty 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 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lewiston, NY before the return drive.
