The Bronx, NY to Canandaigua, NY is 292.6 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 81 and Christopher Columbus Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, making it a convenient option for those looking to explore the Empire State. Expect a journey that blends highway speeds with some more involved local driving sections. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, offering a straightforward path across the state.
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
146.3 miles from The Bronx, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 81
73.8 mi
1h 28m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
US 11
30.6 mi
40m
I 380
27.7 mi
30m
Keystone Shortway
17.3 mi
24m
State Highway 96A
17.1 mi
23m
Routes 5 and 20
11.2 mi
17m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
I 81
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,900
Quietest
1 AM
~430 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 The Bronx, NY and Canandaigua, NY.
1
Start on Cruger Avenue
398 ft·30 sec·Cruger Avenue
2
Turn sharp right onto Bronxdale Avenue
384 ft·15 sec·Bronxdale Avenue
3
Turn right onto Hunt Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·Hunt Avenue
4
At end of road, turn right onto Rhinelander Avenue
0.1 mi·30 sec·Rhinelander Avenue
5
Continue on Unionport Road
0.2 mi·32 sec·Unionport Road
6
Turn right onto Morris Park Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Morris Park Avenue
7
Turn right onto East Tremont Avenue
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Tremont Avenue
8
Turn left onto East 177th Street
413 ft·13 sec·East 177th Street
9
Turn right onto Sheridan Boulevard
506 ft·8 sec·Sheridan Boulevard
Toward NY 895 South, I 95 South
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 95 South: Cross Bronx Expressway, George Washington Bridge
11
Merge onto I 95
2.6 mi·3 min·Cross Bronx Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; US 1
0.7 mi·1 min·Trans-Manhattan Expressway
Toward Upper Level
13
Continue on I 95; US 1
0.6 mi·59 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
14
Continue on I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.5 mi·48 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
0.6 mi·39 sec·I 95 EXPR; US 1 EXPR; US 9 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR; NJTP
0.1 mi·8 sec·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: HackensackUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 69Toward I 80 West: Paterson, HackensackUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 80
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·8 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
12 mi·15 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·46 sec
Exit 293Toward I 380 North: Scranton
25
Continue on I 380
28 mi·30 min·I 380
Use the straight lane.
26
Merge onto I 81
58 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 81
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
1.8 mi·2 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse, Albany
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
14 mi·16 min·I 81
Toward I 81 North: Syracuse
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 8Toward NY 26 North: Whitney Point, Lisle
30
Turn right onto NY 26
0.5 mi·43 sec·NY 26
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 11; NY 26
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 11; NY 26
32
Continue on US 11; NY 79
31 mi·39 min·US 11; NY 79
33
Keep slight right at fork onto NY 79
0.1 mi·19 sec·Seneca Way
34
Continue on NY 79
0.9 mi·2 min·East Seneca Street
Use the straight lane.
35
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
338 ft·15 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
36
Turn left onto NY 96
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Buffalo Street
37
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
38
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
39
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·East Main Street
40
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
41
Continue on NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
42
Turn right onto CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
43
Continue on CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
44
Turn left onto NY 89
3.4 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
45
Turn left onto Center Road
1.4 mi·1 min·Center Road
46
Turn right onto NY 96
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 96
47
Continue on NY 96
485 ft·15 sec·North Town Line Road
48
Continue on NY 96A
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Street
49
Continue on NY 96A
17 mi·23 min·State Highway 96A
50
Turn left onto US 20; NY 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Waterloo-Geneva Road
51
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.1 mi·1 min·Lake Front Drive
52
Continue on US 20; NY 5
1.4 mi·3 min·Hamilton Street
53
Continue on US 20; NY 5
0.6 mi·1 min·Canandaigua Road
54
Continue on US 20; NY 5
11 mi·17 min·Routes 5 and 20
55
Continue on US 20; NY 5
2.0 mi·3 min·Eastern Boulevard
56
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; NY 5
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Boulevard
57
Turn right onto Middle Cheshire Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Middle Cheshire Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
58
Turn right onto Parrish Street
0.2 mi·38 sec·Parrish Street
59
Turn right
350 ft·27 sec
60
At end of road, turn right
166 ft·12 sec
61
Turn right
41 ft·2 sec
62
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, starting your journey from the Bronx in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Canandaigua with plenty of daylight. While the drive is manageable in one day, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests planning for your single recommended stop to be a bit longer to account for potential traffic or navigating through more populated areas. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longest stretch on I 81, as services can be more spread out on highways. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility; if you encounter unexpected delays, you won't be too far from your destination.
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 146.3 miles from The Bronx, NY, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 64 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.3 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 5h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canandaigua, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving The Bronx, 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 The Bronx, NY
This is one driving day of about 292.6 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from The Bronx, 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 73.8 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 40
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 9.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Bronxdale Avenue
Turn sharp right onto Bronxdale Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
1.4 mi into trip|~4m in|Sheridan Boulevard
Turn right onto Sheridan Boulevard toward NY 895 South, I 95 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward NY 895 South, I 95 South
8
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
7 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
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 95 South, NJTP South: Hackensack
8
9.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
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 69
Toward I 80 West: Paterson, Hackensack
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.33 one way
$94.67 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$51.37
$102.73
premium
$4.85
$55.85
$111.69
diesel
$4.80
$55.25
$110.50
Estimated Tolls: $16.28
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(2 mi)$0.28
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
$47
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.72
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.60
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.96
$18.73
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
The Bronx, NY
Late night
in The Bronx on Monday
Local time
4:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Smoke
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY
Destination
Canandaigua, NY
Late night
in Canandaigua on Monday
Local time
4:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Areas Of Smoke then Partly Cloudy
SE 3 to 8 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued July 17 at 2:45PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Upton 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
6 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 21m 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.
General Grant National Memorial
National Memorial
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
Caution: Lower Crypt Access Subject to Safe Conditions
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 272.4
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 10.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route leans towards a turn-heavy local drive, with 57% of it being highway. While there are stretches of faster travel, including a significant 73.8-mile segment on I 81, you'll also encounter more frequent turns and changes in road character. The drive will likely feel like a mix, transitioning from the efficiency of the interstate to navigating through towns and along local roads. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention to navigate intersections and varying speed limits.
Only 57% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
62 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 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 0.1 miles in near Bronxdale Avenue.
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 40 significant decision points across 292.6 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 0.1 miles (Bronxdale Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.4 miles (Sheridan Boulevard): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
1,959 ft53 ft
Total Climb
3,094 ft
Total Descent
2,351 ft
Highest Point
1,959 ft
~104.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,907 ft
Notable High Points
1,959 ft at ~104.5 miles+1,095 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between The Bronx, NY and Canandaigua, NY, road signs point toward Albany and Lisle.
The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. Known for Yankee Stadium, the home field of the New York Yankees baseball team, it has been a borough of New York City since 1898. The vast Bronx Zoo houses hundreds of species of animals. Nearby, the sprawling New York Botanical Garden features a landmark greenhouse with rainforest and cactus displays. By the Hudson River, Wave Hill is a landscaped public garden with wooded paths and a cultural center.
Top landmarks
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
•Hall of Fame for Great Americans — architectural structure
One of the oldest cities in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Canandaigua has a long history as a major crossroads. Its name derives from a Seneca word meaning "The Chosen Spot", and its position at the northern end of Canandaigua Lake certainly justifies the moniker. With a well-preserved historic downtown, a magnificent 19th-century mansion with gardens, a modern and very trendy wine and culinary center, and (of course) the always-excellent boating on the lake, Canandaigua today has just as much to offer a visitor as it did in its heyday... if not more.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 292.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m 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 73.8 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.28 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington 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 Canandaigua, 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 0.1 miles (Bronxdale Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.4 miles (Sheridan Boulevard): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Memorial and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Canandaigua, NY before the return drive.
