The Bronx, NY to Dayton, NY is 394.2 miles and takes about 8 hours 3 minutes via Keystone Shortway, Christopher Columbus Highway, and US 219, with a fuel budget near $66 and likely an overnight stay. This trip stays within the Northeast region, making it a straightforward drive between two points in New York. With a recommended two days for travel, you'll have ample time to break up the drive and avoid feeling rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a manageable road trip that doesn't involve extensive time on major interstates.
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
197.1 miles from The Bronx, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
200 mi
3h 44m
Christopher Columbus Highway
68.2 mi
1h 20m
US 219
46.5 mi
53m
Route 353
12.2 mi
17m
Bennetts Valley Highway
10.5 mi
16m
Southern Tier Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Million Dollar Highway
8.3 mi
12m
State Park Road
7.5 mi
13m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 200 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 388 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,054 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,724
Quietest
1 AM
~358 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Dayton, 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
195 mi·3 hr 35 min·Keystone Shortway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward PA 153: Clearfield, Penfield
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
26
Turn straight onto PA 153
7.5 mi·13 min·State Park Road
27
Turn right onto PA 255
7.9 mi·12 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
28
Continue on PA 255
0.2 mi·20 sec·Million Dollar Highway
29
Continue on PA 255
2.6 mi·3 min·Bennetts Valley Highway
30
Turn straight onto PA 255
8.1 mi·12 min·Million Dollar Highway
31
Continue on PA 120; PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Saint Marys Street
32
Turn right onto PA 120; PA 255
147 ft·3 sec·Railroad Street
33
Turn left onto PA 120; PA 255
382 ft·8 sec·South Michael Street
34
Continue on PA 255
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Michael Street
35
Turn left onto PA 255
0.7 mi·1 min·Maurus Street
36
Continue on PA 255
4.4 mi·6 min·Johnsonburg Road
37
Continue on PA 255
2.3 mi·3 min·Johnsonburg-Saint Marys Road
38
Continue on PA 255
0.8 mi·1 min·Powers Avenue
39
Keep slight right at fork
149 ft·5 sec
40
Merge onto US 219
6.6 mi·7 min·US 219
41
Keep slight right at fork onto US 219
40 mi·44 min·US 219
42
Take the exit onto US 219
0.4 mi·46 sec·US 219
43
Merge onto I 86; US 219; NY 17
8.6 mi·9 min·Southern Tier Expressway
44
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 20Toward NY 417, NY 353: Salamanca
45
Turn right onto NY 417
0.3 mi·26 sec·State Highway 417
46
Continue on NY 417
0.3 mi·57 sec·Broad Street
47
Turn left onto NY 353
1.0 mi·2 min·Center Street
48
Continue on NY 353
5.2 mi·7 min·Route 353
49
Continue on NY 353; NY 242
0.3 mi·31 sec·State Highway 242
50
Continue on NY 353; NY 242
0.9 mi·2 min·Rock City Street
51
Continue on NY 353
1.3 mi·3 min·Erie Street
52
Continue on NY 353
5.1 mi·7 min·Route 353
53
Continue on NY 353
1.5 mi·2 min·South Main Street
54
Continue on NY 353
5.0 mi·7 min·State Highway 353
55
Continue on NY 353
2.0 mi·2 min·Route 353
56
Continue on NY 353
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 353
57
Turn left onto US 62
37 ft·0 sec·US 62
58
Arrive at destination
US 62
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time and the recommendation for two days, you'll want to plan for an overnight stop. Departing early in the morning from The Bronx will allow you to cover a significant portion of the route on your first day. Aim to reach your halfway point, or a town that appeals to you for an overnight stay, by mid-afternoon. The 200-mile stretch on the Keystone Shortway is your longest continuous drive, so plan for a refueling stop before or after this section. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition from highway to surface roads, as services can be more spread out.
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 197.1 miles from The Bronx, NY, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200 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 87 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.1 miles or 3h 51m 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 197.1 miles or 3h 51m
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 6h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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.
+
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 The Bronx, NY
Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Dayton, NY
Aim for roughly 197 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from The Bronx, 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 Keystone Shortway for about 200 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 34
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
$69.00 one way
$138.00 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$74.77
$149.55
premium
$5.23
$81.17
$162.34
diesel
$6.28
$97.40
$194.80
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
$69
Tolls
$16
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.3
1
$41.39
$18.92
Efficient EV
98.6
1
$34.49
$15.77
EV Truck/SUV
157.7
1
$55.19
$25.23
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
The Bronx, NY
Afternoon
in The Bronx on Thursday
Local time
3:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dayton, NY
Afternoon
in Dayton on Thursday
Local time
3:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°F
Clear
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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 3m 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.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 21% on highways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 200 miles on the Keystone Shortway. Expect the highway portion to give way to more local roads, which will likely mean more varied scenery and potentially more frequent stops for intersections or traffic signals as you get closer to your destination. The profile suggests more urban or suburban merging as you navigate through populated areas.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 200 mi on Keystone Shortway.
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 34 significant decision points across 394.2 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
2,129 ft53 ft
Total Climb
3,897 ft
Total Descent
2,614 ft
Highest Point
2,129 ft
~309.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,076 ft
Notable High Points
1,562 ft at ~112.6 miles+765 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from The Bronx, NY to Dayton, NY, road signs begin pointing toward Penfield along the way.
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
•Bronx Zoo — metropolitan zoo in the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
•New York Botanical Garden — botanical garden in the Bronx, New York City
•Woodlawn Cemetery — cemetery in the Bronx, New York City
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 200 miles on Keystone Shortway. 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 197 miles on day one.
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 33 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 Dayton, 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 33 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 — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Stonewall 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 8.1 hours each way, a round trip means 16.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dayton, NY before the return drive.
