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Trip from Staten Island, NY to Thurston, NY

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 26, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 40m

Distance

267.6 mi

431 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 27m ★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 7m
10 AM
5h 50m
12 PM
5h 47m
3 PM
5h 51m
5 PM
6h 6m
8 PM
5h 32m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Staten Island, NY, NY

Staten Island, NY

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Thurston, NY, NY

Thurston, NY

Renan Tagliaferro

Trip Overview

Staten Island, NY to Thurston, NY is 267.6 miles and takes about 5h 40m via I 86, I 81, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. With over three-quarters of the route on highways, expect a relatively straightforward trip. This is a manageable one-day drive, making it a good option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

133.8 miles from Staten Island, NY

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 86 84.2 mi 1h 38m
I 81 58.1 mi 1h 9m
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
Longest stretch: I 86 — 84.2 mi, about 1h 38m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Thurston, 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 left at fork onto I 86; NY 17

84 mi · 1 hr 38 min · I 86; NY 17
Toward I 86: Corning
43

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 41 Toward CR 333: Campbell
44

Turn left onto CR 333

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
45

Turn left onto CR 333

3.8 mi · 6 min · County Route 333
46

Turn right onto County Route 12

49 ft · 1 sec · County Route 12
47

Arrive at destination

County Route 12

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour 40 minute drive time, leaving Staten Island in the morning is recommended to allow ample time for the drive. While you could technically complete this in one day, there's only one suggested stop, so consider if you'd prefer a more relaxed pace with an overnight stay. The $43 fuel cost estimate is based on current averages, so check prices before you depart. Pay attention to exit numbers on I 86 as you cover that longest stretch; it's easy to lose track when you're in highway mode.

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 133.8 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.2 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 59 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.8 miles or 3h 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 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thurston, 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 267.6 miles and 5h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 86 for about 84.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Laurys Station, PA, PA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Laurys Station, PA

134 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

Greenwood Lake, NY

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Clarks Summit, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.8 miles from Staten Island, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 86 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Broome Gateway Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Penn-Can Travel Plaza

0 mi from route

Rest area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Nichols Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Owego Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Crescent Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Erwin Text Zone / Parking Area

0.1 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pennsylvania Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Onvo Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.5 mi from route

Whitney Houston Service Area

0.5 mi from route

Campbell Rest Area

0.8 mi from route

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 37

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

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

$43.49 one way

$86.98 round trip

$4.13/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $47.07 $94.14
premium $4.87 $51.27 $102.53
diesel $5.40 $56.92 $113.85

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

$43

Tolls

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.3 0 $28.10 $12.84
Efficient EV 66.9 0 $23.42 $10.70
EV Truck/SUV 107 1 $37.46 $17.13

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 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.

Forecast as of Apr 25, 2026

Origin

Staten Island, NY

Night in Staten Island on Saturday

Local time

9:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain

SE 10 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

Destination

Thurston, NY

Night in Thurston on Saturday

Local time

9:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Rain Showers Likely

E 6 mph 70% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 25 at 12:05AM EDT by NWS Binghamton 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

5 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

5h 40m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Statue Of Liberty National Monument

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...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour Free near mile 9.2
View on nps.gov
Castle Clinton National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 9.2
View on nps.gov
Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial

National Memorial

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 9.2
View on nps.gov
Governors Island National Monument

Governors Island National Monument

National Monument

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 9.2
View on nps.gov
African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument

National Monument

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...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 9.2
View on nps.gov
Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 77% of the 267.6 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 84.2 miles on I 86 without needing to exit. The highway portion will likely feel like continuous cruising, with the transition to surface roads occurring later in the drive as you approach your destination.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.2 mi on I 86.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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.

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 37 significant decision points across 267.6 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.

Between Staten Island, NY and Thurston, NY, road signs point toward Morristown and Whippany.

Morristown

19.8 mi in | ~38m

Whippany

30.9 mi in | ~52m

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

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 40m. Total distance: 267.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 84.2 miles on I 86. 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.

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 Thurston, 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 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 — Statue Of Liberty National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Thurston, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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