Staten Island, NY to Wilson, NY is 387.3 miles and takes about 8h 37m via I 81, New York State Thruway, and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $64 and a recommendation for an overnight stay. This trip stays within New York, traveling from the Northeast region back into the Northeast. With a recommended two-day drive, you'll find a mix of highway cruising and surface road travel. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state.
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
193.6 miles from Staten Island, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
97.3 mi
1h 55m
New York State Thruway
30.3 mi
34m
Christopher Columbus Highway
29 mi
34m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Roosevelt Highway
20.6 mi
29m
Lake Road
18.2 mi
26m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
Eastern Expressway
15.3 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 97.3 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 Wilson, 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
30 mi·34 min·New York State Thruway
66
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 45Toward I 490: RochesterUse the slight right lane.
67
Continue on I 490
15 mi·19 min·Eastern Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
68
Keep slight left at fork onto I 490
4.8 mi·6 min·Western Expressway
Use the straight lane.
69
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, BrockportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
70
Continue on NY 531
7.5 mi·8 min·NY 531
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
71
Continue on NY 31
2.5 mi·3 min·Brockport-Spencerport Road
72
Turn right onto NY 260
1.9 mi·3 min·Sweden-Walker Road
Use the right lane.
73
Turn left onto NY 104
11 mi·16 min·West Ridge Road
74
Turn right onto CR 32
2.0 mi·2 min·Peter Smith Road
75
Turn left onto NY 18
21 mi·29 min·Roosevelt Highway
76
Continue on NY 18
18 mi·26 min·Lake Road
77
Continue on NY 18
0.3 mi·29 sec·Ontario Street
78
Turn left onto NY 425
0.6 mi·59 sec·Lake Street
79
Arrive at destination
NY 425
Trip Plan
Given the 8.5-hour estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Staten Island in the morning to make good progress before stopping for the night. Plan for about two stops along the way, potentially breaking up the 97.3-mile stretch on I 81. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you move from the highway onto surface roads where stations may be less frequent. The $64 fuel cost is a helpful budget estimate to keep in mind.
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 193.6 miles from Staten Island, NY, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.3 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 85 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.6 miles or 4h 11m 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 193.6 miles or 4h 11m
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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilson, 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 194 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wilson, NY
Aim for roughly 194 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 I 81 for about 97.3 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 55
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 321.8 — 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 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
8
321.8 mi into trip|~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, Brockport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward NY 531 West: Spencerport, Brockport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.65 one way
$125.31 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$67.99
$135.98
premium
$4.85
$73.92
$147.84
diesel
$4.80
$73.13
$146.26
Estimated Tolls: $17.52
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New York State Thruway
(30.3 mi)$1.52
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
$63
Tolls
$18
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$210–$320
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.2
1
$40.67
$18.59
Efficient EV
96.8
1
$33.89
$15.49
EV Truck/SUV
154.9
1
$54.22
$24.79
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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
4:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
NW 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wilson, NY
Late night
in Wilson on Sunday
Local time
4:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Smoke
NE 3 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
84°F
Barton, NY
194 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 37m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 253.7
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 267.1
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 13.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is about half highway, with 50% of the drive on major roads like I 81 and the New York State Thruway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 97.3 miles on I 81 before transitioning to mostly surface roads. Expect to encounter denser traffic and more frequent exits as you navigate through populated areas, especially closer to your starting point.
Only 50% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
79 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.3 mi on I 81.
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 55 significant decision points across 387.3 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
1,846 ft72 ft
Total Climb
2,125 ft
Total Descent
1,915 ft
Highest Point
1,846 ft
~110.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,773 ft
Notable High Points
1,846 ft at ~110.6 miles+615 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 Wilson, NY, road signs point toward Morristown, Whippany, Albany and Brockport.
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 97.3 miles on I 81. 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 194 miles on day one.
Expect about $17.52 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 28 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 Wilson, 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 28 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 17.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wilson, NY before the return drive.
