The Bronx, NY to Chelsea, NY is 33.7 miles and takes about 51 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Northeast region, specifically within New York. It's a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct and efficient journey. Given its short duration, it's an ideal same-day trip, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
16.2 mi
22m
I 95 EXPR
3.8 mi
5m
Cross Bronx Expressway
2.6 mi
3m
New Jersey Turnpike
2 mi
2m
Goethals Bridge
1.6 mi
2m
West Shore Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
Trans-Manhattan Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
George Washington Bridge (upper level)
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
— 16.2 mi, about 22m
Traffic on I-95
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,026 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
3.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 21 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 Chelsea, 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
2.7 mi·3 min·I 95 EXPR; NJTP
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·29 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: NewarkUse the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
2.0 mi·2 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
2.6 mi·3 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16WUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Merge onto I 95
7.4 mi·10 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP
6.2 mi·8 min·New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 13Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten IslandUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 278
1.6 mi·2 min·Goethals Bridge
25
Continue on I 278
0.5 mi·48 sec·Staten Island Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Exit 5Toward NY 440 South: West Shore Expressway SouthUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto NY 440
0.7 mi·1 min·West Shore Expressway
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 8Toward South AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn left onto Chelsea Road
0.1 mi·20 sec·Chelsea Road
30
Turn right onto South Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·South Avenue
31
Turn left onto Meredith Avenue
43 ft·1 sec·Meredith Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Meredith Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 16.9 miles from The Bronx, NY, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 32.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
9.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Newark
8
11.7 mi into trip|~18m in|I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 South: Turnpike South, Exit 16W
8
28.5 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
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 13
Toward I 278: Elizabeth, Staten Island
7
31.5 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward NY 440 South: West Shore Expressway South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward NY 440 South: West Shore Expressway Sout...
7
32.8 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the exit toward South Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward South Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.45 one way
$10.90 round trip
$4.11/gal25.4 MPG avg12 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$5.92
$11.83
premium
$4.85
$6.43
$12.86
diesel
$4.80
$6.36
$12.73
Estimated Tolls: $34.57
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Goethals Bridge
$16.00
New Jersey Turnpike
(18.3 mi)$2.57
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$35
Total
$40
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
10.1
0
$3.54
$1.62
Efficient EV
8.4
0
$2.95
$1.35
EV Truck/SUV
13.5
0
$4.72
$2.16
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 1, 2026
Origin
The Bronx, NY
Late night
in The Bronx on Monday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 9 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 1 at 4:15PM EDT until July 1 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 1 at 4:03PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Destination
Chelsea, NY
Late night
in Chelsea on Monday
Local time
2:50 AM
EDT
Current temp
99°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 7 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 1 at 4:15PM EDT until July 1 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 1 at 4:03PM EDT by NWS Albany NY
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
3 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
51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 79% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 16.2 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. This means you'll experience mostly high-speed driving on major thoroughfares, with minimal exposure to slower, local roads. The route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing getting you to your destination quickly and directly.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.2 mi on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur and I 95 EXPR. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 27 decision points packed into just 33.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
191 ft7 ft
Total Climb
169 ft
Total Descent
215 ft
Highest Point
191 ft
~7.2 mi in
Elevation Range
184 ft
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 Chelsea, NY, road signs point toward Upper Level, Njtp South: Newark, Exit 16W and Staten Island.
Upper Level
4.2 mi in|~8m|via I 95; US 1
Njtp South: Newark
9.3 mi in|~15m
Exit 16W
11.7 mi in|~18m|via I 95; NJTP
Staten Island
28.5 mi in|~41m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 33.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.2 miles on New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $34.57 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 5 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 Chelsea, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.7 miles (I 95; NJTP / New Jersey Turnpike Western Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Statue Of Liberty National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chelsea, NY before heading back.
