Staten Island to Saranac Lake is 310.8 miles and takes about 6h 33m via NY 17 and the Adirondack Northway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Northeast region of New York up into the heart of the Adirondacks. The majority of the drive is on surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace compared to a pure highway trip. It's a single-day drive, but you'll want to start early to make the most of your time in Saranac Lake. Plan for a steady drive with some opportunities to stretch your legs.
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
155.4 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
NY 17
111.7 mi
2h 8m
Adirondack Northway
97.7 mi
1h 53m
NJ 17
22.9 mi
28m
State Highway 73
18.7 mi
27m
I 787
9 mi
12m
Cascade Road
5.3 mi
7m
Saranac-Placid Road
4.9 mi
7m
Bayonne Bridge
4.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
NY 17
— 111.7 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-87
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,467 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,399
Quietest
1 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 79 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 Saranac Lake, 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
4.1 mi·5 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on NJ 17
7.3 mi·9 min·NJ 17
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on NJ 17
0.7 mi·50 sec·NJ 17
37
Continue on NJ 17
3.3 mi·4 min·NJ 17
38
Continue on I 287; NY 17
0.2 mi·10 sec·I 287; NY 17
39
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17
112 mi·2 hr 8 min·NY 17
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 23Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, TroyUse the slight right lane.
41
Continue on I 787
9.0 mi·12 min·I 787
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 787
0.4 mi·29 sec·NY 787
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 9WToward NY 7 West: Schenectady, Saratoga SpringsUse the right lane.
44
Merge onto NY 7
3.1 mi·3 min·NY 7
45
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 87 North: Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls
46
Merge onto I 87
98 mi·1 hr 53 min·Adirondack Northway
47
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward US 9, NY 73: Keene, Keene Valley
48
Turn left onto US 9
2.2 mi·2 min·US Highway 9
49
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 73
50
Continue on NY 9N; NY 73
1.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 9N
51
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 73
7.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
52
Continue on NY 73
5.3 mi·7 min·Cascade Road
53
Turn slight left onto CR 35
3.6 mi·6 min·Old Military Road
54
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
4.9 mi·7 min·Saranac-Placid Road
55
Continue on NY 86
1.2 mi·3 min·Lake Flower Avenue
56
At end of road, turn left onto NY 86
0.3 mi·42 sec·River Street
57
Turn right onto NY 3; NY 86
0.4 mi·42 sec·Church Street
58
Arrive at destination
NY 3; NY 86
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 33m estimated drive time and 310.8 miles, this is a manageable one-day trip, but an early start is key. You'll want to budget around $52 for fuel. The longest stretch without major changes is 111.7 miles on NY 17, so plan your first significant break around then. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the surface roads, as services might be more spread out. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but aim to arrive in Saranac Lake with some daylight left to settle in.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.4 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.7 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 68 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.4 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saranac Lake, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Staten Island, NY
This is one driving day of about 310.8 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Staten Island, 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 111.7 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 39
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.2 and 160.5 — 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
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
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|NY 17
Keep slight left at fork onto NY 17 toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State Thruway North: Albany
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 87 North, NY 17 North, New York State...
8
160.5 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
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 23
Toward I 787, US 9W: Albany, Troy
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.40 one way
$108.80 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$58.95
$117.91
premium
$5.23
$64.00
$127.99
diesel
$6.28
$76.79
$153.59
Estimated Tolls: $16.61
Bayonne Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(4.3 mi)$0.61
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
$54
Tolls
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.2
1
$32.63
$14.92
Efficient EV
77.7
0
$27.20
$12.43
EV Truck/SUV
124.3
1
$43.51
$19.89
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Staten Island, NY
Morning
in Staten Island on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Saranac Lake, NY
Morning
in Saranac Lake on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Sunny
SW 2 to 6 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
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
6h 33m 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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 21.4
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 21.4
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 10.7
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 21.4
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 21.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 310.8 miles, with 58% on highways. You'll spend about 111.7 miles on NY 17, which will feel like a significant stretch of consistent travel. After that, expect the road conditions to shift to mostly surface roads as you approach your destination. The transition from highway to surface roads means you'll notice a change in traffic patterns and speed limits, likely experiencing more local driving.
Only 58% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.7 mi on NY 17.
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 5.2 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 39 significant decision points across 310.8 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 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 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,542 ft9 ft
Total Climb
2,118 ft
Total Descent
648 ft
Highest Point
1,542 ft
~310.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,533 ft
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 Saranac Lake, NY, road signs point toward Jersey City, New York State Thruway North: Albany, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Keene Valley.
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
Saranac Lake is a village in the Adirondacks in New York state. It lies in the towns of Harrietstown, St. Armand, and North Elba, inside the boundaries of Adirondack State Park.
Top landmarks
•Hotel Saranac — historic hotel in upstate New York, U.S
•Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium — United States historic place in Saranac Lake, New York
•Chester Valentine House — historic Strathmore model Sears kit house located at Saranac Lake, Franklin Coun...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 310.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.7 miles on NY 17. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.61 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 25 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 Saranac Lake, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 25.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Stonewall 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saranac Lake, NY before the return drive.
