Origin
Staten Island, NY
Morning in Staten Island on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Staten Island, NY to Syracuse, NY
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
250.5 mi
403 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 5m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 28m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Syracuse, NY
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Staten Island to Syracuse is 250.5 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to another part of the Northeast. It's a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, making it a good option if you're looking to get to your destination efficiently. Plan for a mostly highway experience with a clear path north.
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
125.3 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 81 | 128.5 mi | 2h 31m |
| Christopher Columbus Highway | 29 mi | 34m |
| I 380 | 27.7 mi | 30m |
| Keystone Shortway | 17.3 mi | 24m |
| NJ 10 | 12.8 mi | 18m |
| NJ 24 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Staten Island Expressway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 128.5 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Staten Island, NY and Syracuse, 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; 3C
Toward NJ 439 North: Bayway Avenue, Elizabeth
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 3B
Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
18
Turn left onto NJ 439
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Brunswick Avenue
19
Turn right onto NJ 439
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bayway
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 623
2.0 mi
·
5 min
·
South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto NJ 27
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
22
Turn left onto CR 628
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto CR 509
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Chestnut Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto Paine Avenue
367 ft
·
12 sec
·
Paine Avenue
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 78 West
26
Merge onto I 78
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Phillipsburg-Newark Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 48
Toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
28
Continue on NJ 24
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
NJ 24
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 287 North: Mahwah
Use 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 39
Toward NJ 10: Dover, Whippany
Use the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward NJ 10 West: Dover
Use 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 293
Toward 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
66 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 81
Toward Syracuse
Use the straight lane.
45
Continue on I-81
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-81
46
Continue on I 81
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 81
47
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Adams Street, Harrison Street
Use the slight right lane.
48
Continue on Almond Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Almond Street
Use the left / slight left / straight / right lanes.
49
Turn left onto NY 92
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Genesee Street
50
At end of road, turn right onto US 11
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
South State Street
51
Arrive at destination
US 11
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, leaving Staten Island in the morning allows ample time to reach Syracuse before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 128.5-mile stretch on I 81, consider a brief pause around the midpoint to stretch and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so keeping an eye on your gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of highway, is wise. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions leaving the New York City metropolitan area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.3 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 55 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Syracuse, 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 250.5 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 I 81 for about 128.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.3 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 385 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
Exit 3B
Toward NJ 439 West: Elizabeth, Bayway Avenue
7
19.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward NJ 24 West: Springfield, Morristown
7
29.5 mi into trip
|
~49m in
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
$41.23 one way
$82.47 round trip
$4.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $44.59 | $89.17 |
| premium | $4.92 | $48.55 | $97.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.31 | $110.61 |
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
$41
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.1 | 0 | $26.30 | $12.02 |
| Efficient EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.07 | $16.03 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Syracuse, NY
Morning in Syracuse on Tuesday
Local time
10:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Ramapo, NY
125 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
15 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
5h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 75% of this 250.5-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 128.5 miles, which occurs on I 81. Expect a transition from the Christopher Columbus Highway and I 380 onto I 81 for the bulk of your travel. The route features a mostly highway profile, meaning you'll encounter fewer traffic lights and more consistent speeds for significant portions of the drive.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.5 mi on I 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 250.5 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Syracuse, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany and Albany.
Morristown
19.8 mi in
|
~38m
Whippany
30.9 mi in
|
~52m
Albany
178.8 mi in
|
~3h 53m
|
via I 81
About the Cities
Starting in Staten Island, NY
Full guide →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
- • Bayonne Bridge — arch bridge connecting Staten Island, NY with Bayonne, NJ
- • Staten Island Museum — museum in Staten Island, New York
- • Fort Wadsworth — United States military base
Arriving in Syracuse, NY
Full guide →Founded 1848
Syracuse is a city in Central New York. With a population of 149,000 in city proper and 662,000 in its metro area (2020), Syracuse is the fifth largest city in the state of New York, and the third largest in Upstate New York.
Top landmarks
- • Oncenter War Memorial Arena — arena in Syracuse, New York
- • Everson Museum of Art — art museum in Syracuse, New York
- • Niagara Mohawk Building — historic commercial building in New York, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 250.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.5 miles on I 81. 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Syracuse, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Syracuse, NY before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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